Heir Hunters TV programme

[Alan b]

You looked like mobsters

Really good show today, thanks goodness for the iplayer as my recording failed.

[kooky]

Another interesting one today! Nice to see the interior of the Dublin Reg. Office!
Kooky

[DudleyWinchurch]

Another interesting one today! Nice to see the interior of the Dublin Reg. Office!
Kooky

Except that it was, of course, the research room in the Irish Life Centre, where I had thought that they should be heading 

[kooky]

Oh! How do you know that?
Kooky

[DudleyWinchurch]

Spent a morning there on my trip to Dublin last year.  Was excellent as it gave me an idea of how best to search the indexes (just) before they went on line.  As many Irish names have multiple alternative spellings, I would still recommend it for anyone who can get there that is having difficulty finding family as seeing the alphabetic lists can be easier to find names that have been misspelled.

I guess it's rather quieter now that most people can do a lot of their searches on-line for free, although 2 euros for a five-year set of one type of index (B, M or D) really isn't expensive.

Sadly, I've been busy this morning so only saw bits of the programme and I've several questions, which may of course be answered if I can find time to watch again on I-player later.

First, the research room only issues copies, as far as I know, and so you would need to nip across to the Registry Office for certified copies (more expensive).  Did F&F need to get certified copies for legal purposes or are the photocopies sufficient?

Also the Research Room will only produce 5 copies on-site in one day for any researcher.  Was that enough or did F&F have to wait for more to be mailed out, or was this dealt with by getting the certified copies instead?

[kooky]

Watched this morning.
Amazed to see a copy of a death cert -"We were able to get it online"!
Was there a time lapse of a day or two?
It seemed to be instant.
Can someone explain?
Oh twere that easy!
Kooky

[Nick29]

Hey, I've seen Neil's hair getting longer and then shorter again between takes.  Anything is possible 

[Plummiegirl]

As the cameras are around I do wonder if some offices like to appear more able to produce certificates "instantly";
also companies like F & F & Hoopers probably have very good working relationships with some registrars offices & as they often pay over the phone direct, the registrars are probably more inclined to email or fax copies over, so they have an instant copy & a hard copy sent via post.

For legal purposes you usually cannot use a photocopy of any certificate.

Irish records from Dublin are great, and the folks there are so helpful when you phone, visits not always an option.
Ordered some certs via post, filled out 5 forms, got back 4 records & a handwritten note advising me that they could not find the other & to contact local church, number supplied.  Great service.

[Nick29]

For legal purposes you usually cannot use a photocopy of any certificate.

You can only get a certified copy of a certificate from a registry office, which is why they will never supply a certificate by email or fax, because it's not possible to certify something sent this way.  Anyone can order a certificate by phone, but the fastest delivery method you'll ever be offered in the UK is via secure courier, and that's generally not fast enough for heir hunters who are in competition with each other.