There is a way to use conditions on cert applications for free. If you use the local registrar, then (mostly) they are willing to check your conditions and return either the certificate or the entire fee if the conditions are not met. I've done this a lot and I realise that it's easier if you have means of paying in sterling. Although I live in the USA, I do maintain a sterling bank account and so I'm able to write cheques to local registrars. For most people living abroad this is not an option. I just mentioned it for those resident in the UK or those who have relatives with access to sterling funds. I've been treated really well by most local registrar offices and the Manchester one, in particular, has been superb. If the event you are researching has already been transcribed and on http://www.lancashirebmd.org.uk/, then you can use the form they provide to get the correct references to the local registrar. These are not the same references used for the GRO. But even if it hasn't been transcribed yet, a simple letter to the registrar's office in question usually does the trick. Best wishes, Irene

Marlene and Val, Thank your for your replies. I think I will go back to the Lancashire site and copy down the local Registar's record number, and then call the Manchester Office. Going to the Manchester Registrar site, the fee of 7 pounds still applies, it seems the same cost as GRO, and it does not say a true copy, so I want to confirm with them. My credit card will convert to sterling so maybe I can even order by phone as they say. They say they cannot respond quickly to inquiries due to the increased interest in genealogy of late. Except I am not alert enough to call at 7 or 8 am Pacific time, before the office closes, so I will have to decide about what is most practical. I am not sure what I will do. Thanks. On 8/24/08, Irene Marlborough <imarlb@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > There is a way to use conditions on cert applications for free. If you use > the local registrar, then (mostly) they are willing to check your conditions > and return either the certificate or the entire fee if the conditions are > not met. I've done this a lot and I realise that it's easier if you have > means of paying in sterling. > > Although I live in the USA, I do maintain a sterling bank account and so I'm > able to write cheques to local registrars. For most people living abroad > this is not an option. I just mentioned it for those resident in the UK or > those who have relatives with access to sterling funds. > > I've been treated really well by most local registrar offices and the > Manchester one, in particular, has been superb. If the event you are > researching has already been transcribed and on > http://www.lancashirebmd.org.uk/, then you can use the form they provide to > get the correct references to the local registrar. These are not the same > references used for the GRO. But even if it hasn't been transcribed yet, a > simple letter to the registrar's office in question usually does the trick. > > Best wishes, Irene

Hi folks, I really would endorse what Irene advised. I write a letter (with the clearest details possible, including details I want them to check before issuing a certificate) and include a s.a.e. I think you can't beat this method if you can use it and don't mind waiting a little bit longer for the result. I think the personal touch of a letter (as long as you write everything out clearly) brings the best results. Sally > There is a way to use conditions on cert applications for free. If > you use > the local registrar, then (mostly) they are willing to check your > conditions > and return either the certificate or the entire fee if the > conditions are > not met. I've done this a lot and I realise that it's easier if you > have > means of paying in sterling. > > Although I live in the USA, I do maintain a sterling bank account > and so I'm > able to write cheques to local registrars. For most people living > abroad > this is not an option. I just mentioned it for those resident in > the UK or > those who have relatives with access to sterling funds. > > I've been treated really well by most local registrar offices and the > Manchester one, in particular, has been superb. If the event you are > researching has already been transcribed and on > http://www.lancashirebmd.org.uk/, then you can use the form they > provide to > get the correct references to the local registrar. These are not > the same > references used for the GRO. But even if it hasn't been transcribed > yet, a > simple letter to the registrar's office in question usually does > the trick.

I too have used the local register offices and another tip for UK residents is to put your phone number on the letter. They have phoned me in the past to check things. Carolyn -----Original Message----- From: eng-manchester-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:eng-manchester-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Irene Marlborough Sent: 24 August 2008 16:35 To: eng-manchester@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ENG-MAN] Pixton - condition to certificate There is a way to use conditions on cert applications for free. If you use the local registrar, then (mostly) they are willing to check your conditions and return either the certificate or the entire fee if the conditions are not met. I've done this a lot and I realise that it's easier if you have means of paying in sterling. Although I live in the USA, I do maintain a sterling bank account and so I'm able to write cheques to local registrars. For most people living abroad this is not an option. I just mentioned it for those resident in the UK or those who have relatives with access to sterling funds. I've been treated really well by most local registrar offices and the Manchester one, in particular, has been superb. If the event you are researching has already been transcribed and on http://www.lancashirebmd.org.uk/, then you can use the form they provide to get the correct references to the local registrar. These are not the same references used for the GRO. But even if it hasn't been transcribed yet, a simple letter to the registrar's office in question usually does the trick. Best wishes, Irene ~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~ Except for personal messages, please post replies to the list. Other people can learn from them! ~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-MANCHESTER-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.7/1629 - Release Date: 23/08/2008 13:16 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.7/1629 - Release Date: 23/08/2008 13:16