Condition of Certificates

[Necromancer]

eh ? It is a photocopy - at least the detailed handwritten bit is, the form is efectively a frame surrounding the Register entry.

The Original is long gone .....

[Josephine]

Newfy,

In some places, you can order an "official" copy on official paper (with stamps, the government's seal and a real person's signature) or a print-out of what's on the microfilm on plain white photocopy paper.

The official copies are sometimes required when applying for certain other documents or files.

The last time I ordered a record from Massachusetts,  you could only get the official documents and they were expensive.  I believe those were done up fresh using information on file; I'd have to check my documents on file.  I was surprised to get the "official" documents from England because they were print-outs from the microfilm on official paper.

Regards,
Josephine

[Necromancer]

I'd love to see an original signature - or 'X'

anything from the GRO is a copy of the register entry .........

[wheeldon]

My certs only get into a bad condition after they arrive here - I'm terrible at looking after things.

However, I received a massive wadded envelope which contained the deeds to my house (built 1850s).  The postman just stuffed it through the letter box, the envelope was torn on three sides and a couple of pages ended up being concertinaed

[MaryA]

I'd love to see an original signature - or 'X'

Order from the local Register Office - ie from any of the counties which are transcribing from the Parish Registers - http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/

It's not guaranteed since not all of them do photocopy the original, some used to handwrite the certificate, but many of them do.

Mary

[Necromancer]

Thanks Mary, I've had a few from Saffron Walden, but as you say they were handwritten. Mught try some of my Cambs candidates ....

[carol80]

In NZ we can buy the original or a copy. The copy being cheaper.
In the earlier certs a Copy may give more information than the "Originals" as they can only write out what they have space for.
More for less. Suits me fine.
All arrive in good condition.
Carol

[MaryA]

Thanks Mary, I've had a few from Saffron Walden, but as you say they were handwritten. Mught try some of my Cambs candidates ....

Why not phone them and ask ...... or in the case of our friends further away - email!

[Necromancer]

why not indeed !