Thanks, for the speedy reply, Charani and Nivard will give the GRO a go with The William Percy LEE birth certificate with reference father's name John LEE from Islington in 1885 and see what happens. If he subsequently died in England or Wales his exact date of birth may if on the index entry point to the correct person, cheers Bob in Brisbane ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nivard Ovington" <ovington1@sky.com> To: <middlesex_county_uk@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 7:43 AM Subject: Re: [MDX] reference checking for certificates ordered from the GROandWilliam F or P LEE from Islington. > Now I didn't say order the cert and hope for the best > > They haven't withdrawn the reference check they have altered and improved > it > > As I understand the new system you can order *with* a reference (ie the > fathers name) and if found true they will supply the cert, if found false > they tell you but do not charge > > Thats not hope > > Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > > > >> >> There are three ways to find out other than ordering the cert and >> hoping for the best. >> >> One is to put in the father's name and hope for the best. >> >> Another is to mail the GRO (with GQ in the subject line) and ask their >> advice on the best way to order a cert with a specified father now >> they've withdrawn the reference checking facility. >> >> The alternative is to ask the register office. >> >> However, IIRC, Islington is one of the unco-operative register offices >> who'll tell you to go to the GRO. If they are still as awkward as >> they used to be, then it's a matter of contacting the GRO and asking >> them to ask the "relevant person" to contact the register office and >> tell them to co-operate! :)) >> >> -- >> Charani (UK) > > >