As John H has said, these are corrections to entries, officially known as 'Numbered Errors'. The significant thing about this method of correction is that it should only be used to correct errors detected before the informant and registrar sign the entry in the register. The rules are: 1. If a word is incorrect the registrar must cross it out with a line drawn through it so that the word remains legible and write the correct word above it. 2. If, in any group of numbers, one or more is incorrect the registrar must cross out all of the fihures by drawing a line through them so that they remain legible. The correct figures are written above. 3. If a word has been omitted the registrar must place a caret ^ where the omission occurs and write the word above it. If there is sufficient space to write the omitted word in the place of the omission, then the word is written in the space and underlined. 4. The number of the error is noted in figures next to the error and in words, plus the registrar's initials, in the margin of the entry. Certificates issued by Register Offices for such entries will not normally show the correction. They will be made out as if the correct information was supplied in the first place. I suspect the certificate referred to is a photocopy issued by GRO. If the 'father's name' has been crossed through and not replaced, then my guess is that the mother came to register the birth and the entry was made as if she was married to the father. But then it was ascertained that this was not the case, and as he was not present, his deatils were deleted. Tony >I was recently shown a birth certificate that has had information deleted - but not quite ! The name of the father has been struck-through - although it is still quite visible - and the number (9) written next to it. Other information has also been struck-through and the numbers (10) (11) and (12) written next to the deletions. I can understand why information may have been deleted (although it almost seems as though someone meant it to remain as it's readable with a little effort) but I don't know the meaning of the numbers. Can someone please add to my knowledge in this matter ? Regards, John. Plester One-Name Study: www.plester.info<