I have stored my family records on Sierra Easy Family tree which works ok with Windows XP. As my computer has now given up working, I have had to change to a computer with Vista as the programme. I am unable to us the disc on this machine. Can anybody come up with suggestions on which one to use. The sierra disc is great as you have a family member on each page and you can store a great deal of info. As help would be appreciated Regards Brian Fenner

I have good news and bad news, the missing certificate has arrived, the bad news is that it looks like it was scrawled with pencil and much of it is illegible, and as I can see that it is my gg grandmothers birth in 1846. unfortunately I cannot read the London Suburb where she was born nor can I read her mothers maiden name, I also know that I can`t cross reference on FreeBMD because the parents, married about 1930. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bridget Meads" <bridgetmeads@btinternet.com> To: <cainjo1@postmaster.co.uk>; "Brad Rogers" <brad@fineby.me.uk> Cc: "Sussex FHG" <sfhg@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 6:34 PM Subject: Re: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ >I agree with John ..... "errors contained within the certificates should be > quite rare" > -but so rare that mistakes should be able to be corrected quite quickly! > We should not have to wait another fortnight, before enjoying the courtesy > of a reply & only then after spending time and money on the phone! > > All people make mistakes, I know I do,,, but most of us try to correct > them > ASAP! > > Regards > Bridget 10773 > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Cain" <cainjo1@postmaster.co.uk> > To: "Brad Rogers" <brad@fineby.me.uk> > Cc: "Sussex FHG" <sfhg@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 9:18 AM > Subject: Re: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ > > >> Hello all. >> I too have had a few problems with certificates, missing ones or the >> wrong >> ones being sent. >> I do noy bother with the phone. I write direct to the GRO (not so easy if >> you are in Oz like Joe) and usually get the correct certicate within 7 >> days. >> Actually errors contained within the certificates should be quite rare. >> Most certificates are produced these days by photocopying from the >> register books. So if there are errors they were done by the registrars >> copying from their own register books into the second register book to be >> sent to the GRO (or whatever it was called at the time). >> It is only occasionally, when the entry is difficult to read, thet the >> GRO >> gave to manually copy a certificate. Then errors can crrep in. >> Regards to all. >> John Cain 10370 >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes >> in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:06:24 +1000 "Joe Austen" <austengenealogy@iprimus.com.au> wrote: Hello Joe, > news is that it looks like it was scrawled with pencil and much of it > is illegible, and as I can see that it is my gg grandmothers birth in If it's illegible, send it back, asking for a replacement. Or, if you wish, 'phone or email them first and ask if somebody can check the original and send you a transcript because you can't make it out. IME, the GRO are very helpful that way. Recently, I have seen an upswing in complaints about the GRO's service. I know that they're recovering from a large increase in the usual number of orders. They have also been moved from the ONS to Passports & Identity(1). It's possible that temporary staff have been taken on to cope with the backlog, and they're not 100% familiar with procedures. (1) Who, no doubt, are sticking their oar in, making their presence felt, just like a dog marks new territory. Already the nice friendly blue GRO logo has gone from the web site to be replaced by the more aggressive looking PID logo. I miss the nice friendly blue logo. :-( -- Regards _ / ) "The blindingly obvious is / _)rad never immediately apparent" I'd hate to look into those eyes and see an ounce of pain Sweet Child O'Mine - Guns 'N' Roses

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:08:22 +0000 (GMT) ROGER RUSHTON <rogerofgoostrey@btinternet.com> wrote: Hello ROGER, > If I am correct I thought that the first phase of this major > improvement was due to be available soon. As Bridget says, DoVE is what you're thinking of. Probably a rolling 6 months away, knowing what govt. contracts are like for delivery. :-( -- Regards _ / ) "The blindingly obvious is / _)rad never immediately apparent" Kill joy, bad guy, big talking, small fry Death On Two Legs - Queen

I have found the 'service' pretty bad, too, considering the cost of certificates. Perhaps SFHG could 'officially', with several thousand genealogists behind them, make representation to GRO. It might carry a lot more weight than individual complaints. As an aside, I recently phoned for, and got, a birth certificate for my wife (who had lost hers). It cost nearly £30, had the wrong father's occupation, and they didn't even ask who I was! Tony 9967 On 16/06/2008, Joe Austen <austengenealogy@iprimus.com.au> wrote: > I have good news and bad news, the missing certificate has arrived, the bad > news is that it looks like it was scrawled with pencil and much of it is > illegible, and as I can see that it is my gg grandmothers birth in 1846. > unfortunately I cannot read the London Suburb where she was born nor can I > read her mothers maiden name, I also know that I can`t cross reference on > FreeBMD because the parents, married about 1930. Joe > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Bridget Meads" <bridgetmeads@btinternet.com> > To: <cainjo1@postmaster.co.uk>; "Brad Rogers" <brad@fineby.me.uk> > Cc: "Sussex FHG" <sfhg@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 6:34 PM > Subject: Re: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ > > > >I agree with John ..... "errors contained within the certificates should be > > quite rare" > > -but so rare that mistakes should be able to be corrected quite quickly! > > We should not have to wait another fortnight, before enjoying the courtesy > > of a reply & only then after spending time and money on the phone! > > > > All people make mistakes, I know I do,,, but most of us try to correct > > them > > ASAP! > > > > Regards > > Bridget 10773 > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "John Cain" <cainjo1@postmaster.co.uk> > > To: "Brad Rogers" <brad@fineby.me.uk> > > Cc: "Sussex FHG" <sfhg@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 9:18 AM > > Subject: Re: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ > > > > > >> Hello all. > >> I too have had a few problems with certificates, missing ones or the > >> wrong > >> ones being sent. > >> I do noy bother with the phone. I write direct to the GRO (not so easy if > >> you are in Oz like Joe) and usually get the correct certicate within 7 > >> days. > >> Actually errors contained within the certificates should be quite rare. > >> Most certificates are produced these days by photocopying from the > >> register books. So if there are errors they were done by the registrars > >> copying from their own register books into the second register book to be > >> sent to the GRO (or whatever it was called at the time). > >> It is only occasionally, when the entry is difficult to read, thet the > >> GRO > >> gave to manually copy a certificate. Then errors can crrep in. > >> Regards to all. > >> John Cain 10370 > >> > >> ------------------------------- > >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > >> SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > >> in the subject and the body of the message > >> > > > > > > > > ------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > > SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > > in the subject and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi Rather a late response (I was sorting out my emails!) but I found: _http://theweald.org/P2.asp?PId=5249StichF_ (http://theweald.org/P2.asp?PId=5249StichF) - a page with old maps and census info about Stitches Farm, Rotherfield. Not that far from Hartfield! Margaret 10959

Thanks Bridget, I Googled for DoVE and had success!  The good news is that I wasn't dreaming and my memory is still good.  The bad news is that the project is now 12 months behind schedule.  For those who want the latest picture follow this link: http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/aboutus/lookingahead/Digitisation_of_Vital_Events.asp#0  Kind regards Roger ----- Original Message ---- From: Bridget Meads <bridgetmeads@btinternet.com> To: ROGER RUSHTON <rogerofgoostrey@btinternet.com>; SFHG <sfhg@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, 16 June, 2008 10:22:53 AM Subject: Re: [SFHG] BMD Indexes I think you are referring to the DoVE project, which was due to be available about last April .... if you Google, you might get an update! (Fingers crossed) Bridget 10773 ----- Original Message ----- From: "ROGER RUSHTON" <rogerofgoostrey@btinternet.com> To: "SFHG" <sfhg@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 10:08 AM Subject: [SFHG] BMD Indexes >I may have dreamt this, in which case I won't get any replies!! > > I have it in the back of my mind that there was a plan to update the > earlier GRO birth , marriage and death indexes to provide more detail as > is the case with the later indexes. This would mean that, whatever the > year, on the marriage index spouses names would be included, on the birth > indexes the mother's maiden name would be included and on the death > indexes the age at death would be included. Lastly, but I am less certain > of this, was there a plan to digitise the indexes in order to make them > fully searchable? > > If I am correct I thought that the first phase of this major improvement > was due to be available soon. > > Can anyone tell me what the status of this project is and where I can look > on the Internet in future to check progress. > Kind regards > > > Roger Rushton > Member 9885 > > >      __________________________________________________________ > Sent from Yahoo! Mail. > A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message __________________________________________________________ Sent from Yahoo! Mail. A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

I think you are referring to the DoVE project, which was due to be available about last April .... if you Google, you might get an update! (Fingers crossed) Bridget 10773 ----- Original Message ----- From: "ROGER RUSHTON" <rogerofgoostrey@btinternet.com> To: "SFHG" <sfhg@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 10:08 AM Subject: [SFHG] BMD Indexes >I may have dreamt this, in which case I won't get any replies!! > > I have it in the back of my mind that there was a plan to update the > earlier GRO birth , marriage and death indexes to provide more detail as > is the case with the later indexes. This would mean that, whatever the > year, on the marriage index spouses names would be included, on the birth > indexes the mother's maiden name would be included and on the death > indexes the age at death would be included. Lastly, but I am less certain > of this, was there a plan to digitise the indexes in order to make them > fully searchable? > > If I am correct I thought that the first phase of this major improvement > was due to be available soon. > > Can anyone tell me what the status of this project is and where I can look > on the Internet in future to check progress. > Kind regards > > > Roger Rushton > Member 9885 > > > __________________________________________________________ > Sent from Yahoo! Mail. > A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message

Just thought I'd let everyone know that the new system has just worked for me. &nbsp; I ordered 2 standard certificates online on Monday June 2 (I supplied the GRO index nos.) and was told they would be despatched on Friday June 6. I received the first one today, Monday, June 16 (we do not have Saturday mail delivery). Considering I am in Canada and mail usually takes a week from the UK, it all seems pretty normal to me. Fortunately the certificate quality is very good and legible. (I am talking about 1869.) &nbsp; I note that the covering memo says: "The GRO is committed to providing a quality product. However, as the birth, marriage and death certificates are produced from the original filmed records, it is not always possible to provide the clarity we would wish." &nbsp; On the death certificate itself, which contains an apparently scanned entry, it says: "Certified to be a true copy of an entry in the certified copy of a Register of Deaths in the District above mentioned." So, if the original filmed record was a copy, then there was indeed scope for mistakes to be made in transcription. &nbsp; Christine Jackson, SFHG 397 Ottawa, Canada __________________________________________________________________ Get a sneak peak at messages with a handy reading pane with All new Yahoo! Mail: http://ca.promos.yahoo.com/newmail/overview2/

On Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:18:32 +0100 John Cain <cainjo1@postmaster.co.uk> wrote: Hello John, > Most certificates are produced these days by photocopying from the > register books They're not, you know. Mostly, they're produced by copying the microfiche copy of the register. From the GRO, usually with little human intervention. Occasionally, you'll receive a copy of a cert from the GRO with a white delivery note rather than the usual pink, green or purple one. This indicates that the copy was produced outside the normal automated process to get a legible copy of aforesaid cert. Even more infrequently, you'll get a copy from the GRO where the data is transcribed onto a typed copy certificate because they can't get a legible copy by any other method. When it comes to regional offices, methods vary from office to office according to availability of equipment and staff it's hard to say what "normally" happens. -- Regards _ / ) "The blindingly obvious is / _)rad never immediately apparent" White people going to school, where they teach you to be thick White Riot - The Clash

I agree with John ..... "errors contained within the certificates should be quite rare" -but so rare that mistakes should be able to be corrected quite quickly! We should not have to wait another fortnight, before enjoying the courtesy of a reply & only then after spending time and money on the phone! All people make mistakes, I know I do,,, but most of us try to correct them ASAP! Regards Bridget 10773 ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Cain" <cainjo1@postmaster.co.uk> To: "Brad Rogers" <brad@fineby.me.uk> Cc: "Sussex FHG" <sfhg@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 9:18 AM Subject: Re: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ > Hello all. > I too have had a few problems with certificates, missing ones or the wrong > ones being sent. > I do noy bother with the phone. I write direct to the GRO (not so easy if > you are in Oz like Joe) and usually get the correct certicate within 7 > days. > Actually errors contained within the certificates should be quite rare. > Most certificates are produced these days by photocopying from the > register books. So if there are errors they were done by the registrars > copying from their own register books into the second register book to be > sent to the GRO (or whatever it was called at the time). > It is only occasionally, when the entry is difficult to read, thet the GRO > gave to manually copy a certificate. Then errors can crrep in. > Regards to all. > John Cain 10370 > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >

Hello all. I too have had a few problems with certificates, missing ones or the wrong ones being sent. I do noy bother with the phone. I write direct to the GRO (not so easy if you are in Oz like Joe) and usually get the correct certicate within 7 days. Actually errors contained within the certificates should be quite rare. Most certificates are produced these days by photocopying from the register books. So if there are errors they were done by the registrars copying from their own register books into the second register book to be sent to the GRO (or whatever it was called at the time). It is only occasionally, when the entry is difficult to read, thet the GRO gave to manually copy a certificate. Then errors can crrep in. Regards to all. John Cain 10370

I may have dreamt this, in which case I won't get any replies!!   I have it in the back of my mind that there was a plan to update the earlier GRO birth , marriage and death indexes to provide more detail as is the case with the later indexes.  This would mean that, whatever the year, on the marriage index spouses names would be included, on the birth indexes the mother's maiden name would be included and on the death indexes the age at death would be included.  Lastly, but I am less certain of this, was there a plan to digitise the indexes in order to make them fully searchable?   If I am correct I thought that the first phase of this major improvement was due to be available soon.   Can anyone tell me what the status of this project is and where I can look on the Internet in future to check progress.  Kind regards Roger Rushton Member 9885 __________________________________________________________ Sent from Yahoo! Mail. A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

The only information I have about my Great grandfather, George Foster, is that he was born in Brighton @ 1815.He was a compostitor and I can find another Foster living in Brighton ...William Foster born 1800 who became overseer in the newspaper press office. They may be related. Has anyone any information about the Foster family please? Pat Abrahams Nunns

Hi June I have an earlier Blackman connection - don't know if it ties in to yors.... Pricilla Balckman b 1788/9 Battle, Sussex M Rose Fuller in 1808. Pricilla's mother was a Judith Blackman - father unknown. Let me know if you find a link to my Blackman family. Best wihes Sharon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Javajune" <june.harvey@gmail.com> To: <sfhg@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 7:43 PM Subject: [SFHG] BLACKMAN Brighton > Edmund BLACKMAN b. 1857 Brighton married Eliza MARCHANT 1879. > They had six children, one of whom was Frederick BLACKMAN b. 1884 in > Brighton. > Frederick married Amelia WEST 1911 in Brighton and they had a > daughter, Doris BLACKMAN b. 1913. > > I would like contact with any person interested in the BLACKMAN or > WEST families. Have info. - will share. > > June > > SFHG 12496 > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >

Thanks Bridget I didn`t think I was alone. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bridget Meads" <bridgetmeads@btinternet.com> To: "Joe Austen" <austengenealogy@iprimus.com.au>; <EOLFHS-MEMBERS-L@rootsweb.com> Cc: <SFHG-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 4:00 PM Subject: Re: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ > You have my empathy Joe ... > Out of my order of 5 death certs, (which were late being generated) 2 had > errors in the typed Registration box. One gentleman, according to them, > had his death registered 10 years before the event occurred! The other was > a transcribing error on the place of death. I telephoned - after 20 > minutes waiting for a non electronic voice, I hung up & emailed them. I > too, got the automatic reply saying I must expect a 9 day wait for a > response. So I waited a fortnight and yesterday, rang again - I heard a > different electronic voice informing me they were too busy & my call was > being disconnected, but to look for help on their website! I was feeling > more & more irritated, I rang again & was held in a queue for 10 minutes- > this time I spoke to a person & began to get excited! The gentleman who > answered was very helpful & took my number promising to ring back, which > he did - within half an hour! He assured me I would receive an emailed > response by the end of the day. I did! It assures me my certs are being > reissued & will be sent within 2 working days ..... My anticipation is > eagerly waiting for Wednesday's post! > > I am amazed that 2 Certified Copies had errors, & am doubting the several > hundreds certs veracity that I have already ordered & received! > > I agree this is a multi million pound business, not a volunteer > organisation & am appalled at the poor customer service we are getting! > They have been bleating about how busy they are for years, why do they not > invest some of the earnings in more staff to dispatch the certs, which > would reduce the volume of people chasing queries & give their customers > value for money. I also believe they should not take our money until the > certs are dispatched - but that is another rant! > > Good luck Joe > > Bridget 10773 > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Joe Austen" <austengenealogy@iprimus.com.au> > To: <EOLFHS-MEMBERS-L@rootsweb.com> > Cc: <SFHG-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:12 AM > Subject: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ > > >> I`ll try again >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Joe Austen" <josephwausten@iprimus.com.au> >> To: <SFHG-L@rootsweb.com> >> Cc: <EOLFHS-MEMBERS-L@rootsweb.com> >> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 8:44 AM >> Subject: Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ >> >> >>>I ordered and paid for two certificates on the 22/05/2008. I got one on >>>Wednesday, this is the response I got when I tried to enquire about the >>>second one.perhaps it is time the body concerned got real and hired more >>>staff. Joe Austen in OZ >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: <certificate.services@ons.gsi.gov.uk> >>> To: <josephwausten@iprimus.com.au> >>> Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 7:34 PM >>> Subject: RE: Fw: missing certificate GQ >>> >>> >>>> Whilst our service level target is to respond to customer emails >>>> within >>>> 5 working days, please note that due to a backlog of certificate >>>> applications, we are experiencing high levels of progress chasing >>>> queries >>>> and the current turnaround times for emails has increased to 9 working >>>> days. >>>> >>>> We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay. >>>> >>>> Certificate Services >>>> >>>> >>>> The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government >>>> Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Cable&Wireless in >>>> partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number 2007/11/0032.) >>>> On >>>> leaving the GSi this email was certified virus free. >>>> Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored >>>> and/or >>>> recorded for legal purposes. >>> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes >> in the subject and the body of the message >> > >

When I placed my order which cost me 14.00 GBpounds I was advised that my order would be despatched on the fourth working day after I placed it.(I ordered online direct) so it should have been despatched on the 29th of May, it usually takes about a week so it should have got here a week before it did. these are not SFHG volunteers were taking about, this is the British Government, and they debitted my credit card on the 23/5/08, this is a multi million pound earner for them, They have my money but will not even answer my query regarding my order until the end of the week after next. I`m not even a little annoyed with you. as you seem to be under the impression that I ordered it through the SFHG. I`m a lot more patient than I used to be(ask anyone below 11000) but I have my limits. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: lynneve burrell To: Joe Austen Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 1:27 PM Subject: RE: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ Hope you are not going to be cross with me too BUT.... I think you are being a little unreasonable harsh. It can take up 8 weeks to receive a BDM certificate her in Australia let alone from the UK. I also am of the undertanding the service is voluntary therefore the committee is always looking for extra help. Be kind. Cheers Lynneve 12656 > From: austengenealogy@iprimus.com.au > To: EOLFHS-MEMBERS-L@rootsweb.com > Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:12:23 +1000 > CC: SFHG-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ > > I`ll try again > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Joe Austen" <josephwausten@iprimus.com.au> > To: <SFHG-L@rootsweb.com> > Cc: <EOLFHS-MEMBERS-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 8:44 AM > Subject: Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ > > > >I ordered and paid for two certificates on the 22/05/2008. I got one on > >Wednesday, this is the response I got when I tried to enquire about the > >second one.perhaps it is time the body concerned got real and hired more > >staff. Joe Austen in OZ > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: <certificate.services@ons.gsi.gov.uk> > > To: <josephwausten@iprimus.com.au> > > Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 7:34 PM > > Subject: RE: Fw: missing certificate GQ > > > > > >> Whilst our service level target is to respond to customer emails within > >> 5 working days, please note that due to a backlog of certificate > >> applications, we are experiencing high levels of progress chasing queries > >> and the current turnaround times for emails has increased to 9 working > >> days. > >> > >> We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay. > >> > >> Certificate Services > >> > >> > >> The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government > >> Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Cable&Wireless in > >> partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number 2007/11/0032.) On > >> leaving the GSi this email was certified virus free. > >> Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or > >> recorded for legal purposes. > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Click here Search for local singles online @ Lavalife.

On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:00:55 +0100 "Bridget Meads" <bridgetmeads@btinternet.com> wrote: Hello Bridget, > I am amazed that 2 Certified Copies had errors, & am doubting the > several hundreds certs veracity that I have already ordered & > received! All those copies are produced by people. People make mistakes. Some of those mistakes can be rectified, and when they can, the GRO do so without a quibble. Recently, there have been changes at the GRO, too. Mainly to do with the shift of responsibility from ONS to Passport & Identity. Couple that with an recent surge in demand, and it's entirely probably more mistakes have been made than normal. Unfortunately, you received stuff that was in error. -- Regards _ / ) "The blindingly obvious is / _)rad never immediately apparent" It's got nothing to do with the need to impress Titanic (My Over) Reaction - 999

Edmund BLACKMAN b. 1857 Brighton married Eliza MARCHANT 1879. They had six children, one of whom was Frederick BLACKMAN b. 1884 in Brighton. Frederick married Amelia WEST 1911 in Brighton and they had a daughter, Doris BLACKMAN b. 1913. I would like contact with any person interested in the BLACKMAN or WEST families. Have info. - will share. June SFHG 12496

Joe I have noticed that efficiency has got a lot worse since responsibility was moved from ONS to IPS (Identity & Passport Office) at the beginning of April I also have had problems one finally arrived after 6 weeks after the others, an hour down the motorway I could have collected it myself. I did speak to a nice young man who explained that there was teething problems with the system another case of "if its not broke" Regards Jackie 10751 -----Original Message----- From: sfhg-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:sfhg-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Joe Austen Sent: 14 June 2008 07:22 To: Bridget Meads; EOLFHS-MEMBERS-L@rootsweb.com Cc: SFHG-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ Thanks Bridget I didn`t think I was alone. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bridget Meads" <bridgetmeads@btinternet.com> To: "Joe Austen" <austengenealogy@iprimus.com.au>; <EOLFHS-MEMBERS-L@rootsweb.com> Cc: <SFHG-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 4:00 PM Subject: Re: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ > You have my empathy Joe ... > Out of my order of 5 death certs, (which were late being generated) 2 > had errors in the typed Registration box. One gentleman, according to > them, had his death registered 10 years before the event occurred! The > other was a transcribing error on the place of death. I telephoned - > after 20 minutes waiting for a non electronic voice, I hung up & > emailed them. I too, got the automatic reply saying I must expect a 9 > day wait for a response. So I waited a fortnight and yesterday, rang > again - I heard a different electronic voice informing me they were > too busy & my call was being disconnected, but to look for help on > their website! I was feeling more & more irritated, I rang again & was > held in a queue for 10 minutes- this time I spoke to a person & began > to get excited! The gentleman who answered was very helpful & took my > number promising to ring back, which he did - within half an hour! He > assured me I would receive an emailed response by the end of the day. > I did! It assures me my certs are being reissued & will be sent within > 2 working days ..... My anticipation is eagerly waiting for Wednesday's post! > > I am amazed that 2 Certified Copies had errors, & am doubting the > several hundreds certs veracity that I have already ordered & received! > > I agree this is a multi million pound business, not a volunteer > organisation & am appalled at the poor customer service we are getting! > They have been bleating about how busy they are for years, why do they > not invest some of the earnings in more staff to dispatch the certs, > which would reduce the volume of people chasing queries & give their > customers value for money. I also believe they should not take our > money until the certs are dispatched - but that is another rant! > > Good luck Joe > > Bridget 10773 > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Joe Austen" <austengenealogy@iprimus.com.au> > To: <EOLFHS-MEMBERS-L@rootsweb.com> > Cc: <SFHG-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:12 AM > Subject: [SFHG] Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ > > >> I`ll try again >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Joe Austen" <josephwausten@iprimus.com.au> >> To: <SFHG-L@rootsweb.com> >> Cc: <EOLFHS-MEMBERS-L@rootsweb.com> >> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 8:44 AM >> Subject: Fw: Fw: missing certificate GQ >> >> >>>I ordered and paid for two certificates on the 22/05/2008. I got one >>>on Wednesday, this is the response I got when I tried to enquire >>>about the second one.perhaps it is time the body concerned got real >>>and hired more staff. Joe Austen in OZ >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: <certificate.services@ons.gsi.gov.uk> >>> To: <josephwausten@iprimus.com.au> >>> Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 7:34 PM >>> Subject: RE: Fw: missing certificate GQ >>> >>> >>>> Whilst our service level target is to respond to customer emails >>>> within >>>> 5 working days, please note that due to a backlog of certificate >>>> applications, we are experiencing high levels of progress chasing >>>> queries and the current turnaround times for emails has increased >>>> to 9 working days. >>>> >>>> We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay. >>>> >>>> Certificate Services >>>> >>>> >>>> The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the >>>> Government Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by >>>> Cable&Wireless in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate >>>> Number 2007/11/0032.) On leaving the GSi this email was certified >>>> virus free. >>>> Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored >>>> and/or recorded for legal purposes. >>> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SFHG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message