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Hi

I have found a death entry on freebmd.org.uk -
Charles W Butler; March 1945; (age) 56; Ilford; 4a; 523

But I can't find it on GRO (there are 4 other entries for 4a, 523, same period, which I can find).

I did a "Missing entry in the death index" report, which came back from GRO -
"Investigated – No amendment required" and "Indexed data is correct."

I tried to contact GRO, but halfway through the contact form it outlined in RED with the message "THERE IS A PROBLEM" - it kept doing this, even after disconnecting from the internet and starting again.

So, I resent the missing report - this time putting a fuller message in the free text.  GRO came back again, this time with -
"Investigated – No amendment required" and "Indexed data not available."

Can anyone else find this, please?

Many thanks.

Hello

I'm interested in seeing the death certificate that I've found on freebmd.org:

GREENE, MALE - SEP 1861 PANCRAS VOL 1B PAGE 86

I have looked at the scanned image used by freebmd.org and believe this is transcribed correctly in freebmd.org, but I cannot find it on the GRO website inquiry in order to buy the certificate.  Other entries from the same sheet, eg WILLIAM HENRY GREENE, Clerkenwell, 1B, 340, do appear on the GRO website.

I've tried the "phonetic" and "similar sounding" options on GRO, as well as anything I thought GREENE may have been mis-transcribed as.

I phoned GRO and was told not to use the free entry, paper certificate order screen (£11), using all the correct details, as GRO wouldn't be able to find it either and I'd get an "incorrect order details" response (and lose my £11).  But I was advised to send in a query to "firstpointofcontact@gro.gov.uk", which I did and enclosed the scanned image from freebmd.org.  I assumed (wrongly) that GRO would correct the entry (however it was wrong), it would then appear on the website and I'd be able to order the certificate.

I had a reply from GRO saying "index holders are aware of the existence of errors and GRO does not guarantee the accuracy of the data supplied".  Who are "index holders"?

GRO also states that due to the scale of the task of updating errors, "it would be impossible to update all the copies of our indexes".

GRO also suggests that I send a photocopy of the death certificate to GRO, PO Box 2, Southport PR8 2JD.  I wonder why they think I already have it!  Or where I got it from!  Or what they will do with it, if they don't correct errors!

The only solution that I can think of is to contact the actual register office in London (Pancras or successor)?

Many thanks for any other suggestions.

James Couch (aged 39) was convicted of larceny (stealing a van) on 3 October 1859 at Westminster and sentenced to 4 years.  He was prisoner 3228 and Chatham Prison records show that he was released on licence on 13 January 1863 with the word "Gibraltar" written above the entry.

His name was James Nathaniel Couch and at the time of the 1851 Census he was living with his wife and daughter (both called Caroline) at 51 Wilsted Street, St Pancras.  I can't find him on the 1861 Census - although he was in Chatham Prison (he's on the 1861 Muster) - while Caroline (now with two children) is at 54 Edward Street, Regents Park.

James Nathaniel Couch (specifying his full name and aged 50) was convicted of fraud at Liverpool Borough Sessions in May 1863 and sentenced to 6 months.  This might be the same man as above, although the age is a bit out?

He fathered a last child with Caroline (Frances Esther Couch, registered March 1864 in Pancras) and so by May 1863, when he possibly was in Liverpool (if the same man), he could have already abandoned the family.  Caroline was alone on the 1871 Census (although stated as married) and actually married someone else in 1875.

I should be very grateful for information on the "Gibraltar" reference, and whether that leads us anywhere.  Also, any ideas on what happened to James would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

I'm trying to find out what happened to Esther Stevens.  She is listed on the 1851 Census at Calverley Road which is in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, with her second husband (Thomas Stevens); her daughter (Louisa Stonestreet, later Neal) and Louisa's family are listed after Esther and Thomas. 

I think Louisa was Esther's 9th child (of 11), baptised as "Louisa Stevens, illegitimate daughter of Esther Bovis".  Esther had her other children with her first husband, John Bovis, who died in 1831.  Esther married Thomas Stevens in 1833 and I've considered whether he is Louisa's father - Louisa was the informant of Thomas's death on 31 December 1857.  Thomas was then living at Station Road, Tonbridge (sic) Wells.  Louisa was still at Crown Field, where she had been in 1841 - I wonder whether Calverley Road in 1851 is the same place, just described differently.  Louisa died in 1869, when Esther would have been about 98, so not impossible for Esther to be still alive at that time and her later death mis-recorded by a non-relative?

Esther was baptised in 1772 in Sussex, so would have been about 79 at the time of the 1851 Census - as it shows.

Esther's is not the death in 1855 (Dartford) - I've bought that one and discounted it.

Esther's maiden name was Christian - several of her children were baptised with Christian as a middle name.

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.  Thank you.

Hi
I'm searching for my relative, Elizabeth Rea, born 31 July 1839 in Clerkenwell.  She married Frederick Gerrard on 1 March 1857 at St Philip's, Clerkenwell, and they had a son, Frederick William Gerrard, born on 27 January 1858, again in Clerkenwell.  On the 1861 Census, Frederick Jr is with his grandparents at 19 Margaret Street; I can't find his parents in 1861 at all.  Frederick Sr re-married: to Mary Ann Martha Lawrance on 6 June 1870; and appears on subsequent Censuses with her.
I can't find a remarriage or death that matches Elizabeth; I also can't find her son on the 1871 or 1881 Census; he's with his wife and children thereafter.  Frederick Jr's London City Freedom record from 1925 shows his father as "Late of Margaret Street", perhaps suggesting no contact since early childhood, if at all?
I should be very grateful for any suggestions?
Many thanks.