I had an interesting chat today with the registrar operating out of a council locally. I bumped into her as she was coming out of the strong room doing a look up for someone.
I asked if I could have a peek at the register to see what one actually looked like - she kindly let me - not that i could make anything out!
I chatted to her about genealogy etc, and we got onto the issue of turn round.
She quite validly pointed out that she works 2 half days a week, and that priority has to be given to dealing with the public for current bmds. Therefore she can't always turn around requests as quickly as she would like. A 'working day' for her is actually a full week.
So - next time you (and me) are sitting waiting for a certificate which seems to be taking an age to arrive, remember that a lot of local offices are only staffed part time, and that they are doing their best.
HOWEVER: for a keen researcher it is still
very difficult not to be impatient waiting for the GGGGG's marriage/death/birth certificate!!
So. to misquote TS Elliot,
' So for all registrars let us now give three cheers -
On whom keen genealogists depend, it appears.'!!
Sue
