"Application number" on Ancestry family tree

[PAK]

I've been looking at family trees on Ancestry, which I know are often unreliable but can sometimes give a clue to a source. In particular I was looking for the birth of Harriet Bird. The baptism record image for 8.3.1840 shows her as Harriet (possibly Maud) Bird, daughter of George Bird, chairmaker of Church Street in Tewkesbury. But of course it doesn't show a birth date. One family tree on Ancestry shows a birth date of 2.12.39 but for the source it simply says "Application number COL004542".

Can anyone suggest what this might mean? In particular, should I take the date as reliable?

[lizdb]

Well, you cant take the date as reliable as so far there is no evidence to back it up.

Why not contact the tree owner to see if they have bought the birth cert, to save you buying it too?

[rosie99]

"Application number COL004542".

That sounds like the reference given to them by the GRO when they applied for a copy of the certificate.  I have just checked one I applied for and it starts COL followed by 6 numbers then the year

[PAK]

Sorry - a correction. She was just Harriet, no second name.

[Brentor boy]

The only birth registered in the name of Harriet Bird, in Gloucestershire, between 1838- 40 was in Gloucester in March Q 1838

P S Have just found Harriot Bird, Tewkesbury, March Q 1840. This could be a delayed registration of a December birth

[Comberton]

English Births & Baptisms

Harriet Bird
Baptised 8th March 1840 Tewkesbury
Death date 31st January 1845
parents George & Maria

The Harriet on that tree marries so not her baptism

[PAK]

Thanks for the replies so far.
Lizdb - thanks especially for this. I will wait for a few weeks to see if it is updated.
Brentor boy - yes I agree.
Comberton - not so, as I have census entries for her with George and Maria in 1861 and 1871.

[Comberton]

You are correct and the compilers of the records on both FindMyPast & Ancestry have made the mistake of linking the 1845 death to the 1840 baptism. The GRO death index shows the 1845 death as aged 0. She was 4 months so probably mistaken for 4 years, my apologies for misleading you. Good luck with your search.

[judyflute]

The COL number is the order number given to a certificate application from the GRO, I would think your person has ordered the certificate.
Judy