This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Duffy Classification: Birth Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hFB.2ACE/1721 Message Board Post: Does anyone know what information, if any, was asked on original birth certificates in the 1880's? Addresses, parents ages, employment? I recently requested a copy of a birth certificate for my great grandmother. She was born in Bunker Hill on 03 Jan 1885. I knew her name, Mary C Duffy, and when and where she was born. I also knew her parents names. When I received the certified copy of her birth certificate I was dismayed to find it only contained the information that I had already provided. Why did my copy not contain more information? At the very least, I would think the persons full name at birth would be put on the copy of the birth certificate. For instance, my g grandmother...I know her name to be Mary C Duffy. But what does that "C" stand for? Surely her original birth certificate did not read Mary "C" Duffy. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks, Cathy