Birth Certificates - COMPLETED THANKYOU

[CatOne]

I recently acquired a birth certificate (from 1852) through a third party, but it is different to the others I have in that it is hand written, not photocopied from the register onto a certificate, like the others I have sent for. Is this normal? Why would it be hand written by one of the current registrars instead of being photocopied from the original entries. I prefer to be able to translate myself, not rely on someone elses interpretation.

Catherine

[Little Nell]

Hi Catherine,

It may be quite simple: the quality of the photocopy may have been illegible, no matter how hard they tried to reproduce it.  The original may be in poor condition rendering a mechanical copy impossible.  In this case, you have what everybody got in the days before they had photocopiers- yet another transcription, and maybe compounding earlier errors.  I have at least one certificate like this.  While it may not be the same, it is better than a completely unreadable scan for which you have paid good money.

Nell

[mrs noah]

 I agree totally with what you say.
Far from being not acceptable a hand written certificate is always interesting. If the details are not what you think they ought to be ring the registrar and have them check.They are usually most helpful and will often send you a photo copy of your querie.

 never disregard any information whether it is hand written or photo copied.

Mrs Noah.