On 23rd May Gus wrote: From: "John Tysoe" <gtysoe@jtysoe.fsnet.co.uk> Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 11:32:35 +0100 To: ENG-WORCESTER-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Certificates in general I have been preparing the Estate Accounts of my late father, and among his papers I came across both his and my mother's original birth certificates and their original marriage certificate. All of them provided (to me at any rate) minor surprises. Father's Birth Certificate 1) I had believed all birth certificates were printed in red ink - but this one, dated 19 April 1911 - was in black. When did the colour change? 2) The price was 2s. 7d [13p in Funny Money], while for a copy (if requested later) it was 3s. 7d (including 1d Stamp Duty and a 1-year search) plus 6d Search Fee for every other year that year [18p + 2½p]... Mother's Birth 'Certificate' 1) Although printed in red, it was a 'Certificate of Registration of Birth' dated 19 November 1913. 2) The only information it gave was her name, date of birth, date of registration, and the Register number and Entry number. It also bore a "NOTICE - This Certificate when duly filled up by the Registrar, is to be given (*on demand*) to the INFORMANT at the time of Registering th Birth, on payment of a fee not exceeding Three-pence [1¼p]". I have never seen such a document before - it is printed on flimsy paper and measures some 6½ x 4½in [165 x 115mm], and isn't stamped. 3) It would seem that she never had any other certificate - my father was meticulous in his filing of 'Important Papers' - but she nonethelss held a series of passports... Hi Gus, Like you I have been sadly sorting though family effects. I also have my parents certificates from 1914 Birmingham Ladywood signed Thomas MARYON and 1917 Bromsgrove signe Edward TURNER and they are exactly as you say: printed in red with just the date of birth and the entry number and register number. I always assumed these were the cheap option and they are the only ones they ever had. I guess if we sent for copies today we would get the full details. Best wishes Lin Watterson Isle of Wight