Was it necessary to register a birth in 1866?

[Autumn9]

I want to order a birth certificate for my ancestor - but can't find a birth record. Was it necessary to register a birth at this time?

James Isherwood. 7 Feb 1866. Westminster. MMN Donovan.

I can find a record for his brother John (1868) but nothing for him and his older siblings Ellen (1863) and Bennett (1865).

Many thanks

[AntonyMMM]

Necessary, as in legally required, then yes it was  (but not as clearly as after 1874 .....)

This will explain why that was :

https://lifelinesresearch.co.uk/2019/01/20/1874-and-all-that/

Of course that doesn't mean all births were registered, some definitely weren't (even when others in the family were)  ... but always check for registrations indexed just under the mother's name, or in a different place/year to what you are expecting.

[Autumn9]

Necessary, as in legally required, then yes it was  (but not as clearly as after 1874 .....)

This will explain why that was :

https://lifelinesresearch.co.uk/2019/01/20/1874-and-all-that/

Of course that doesn't mean all births were registered, some definitely weren't (even when others in the family were)  ... but always check for registrations indexed just under the mother's name, or in a different place/year to what you are expecting.

Thank you. 

[Maiden Stone]

With GRO index did you select phonetic option for surnames and derivative names for forenames? Try leaving out forenames in case they were registered with a different one.

[onyxandopal]

With GRO index did you select phonetic option for surnames and derivative names for forenames? Try leaving out forenames in case they were registered with a different one.

I’m having the same problem on some of my searches. I’ll try this too! Thanks

[Maiden Stone]

Remember to put male or female in gender box. I sometimes forget to change the gender when searching for brothers and sisters.

[rosie99]

Remember to put male or female in gender box. I sometimes forget to change the gender when searching for brothers and sisters.

Also try both sexes as it is not unknown for a male to be listed as female and a female/male

[josey]

Preumably this family
1871  RG10; Piece: 120; Folio: 36; Page: 65
Bennetye Sherwood   39 b Lancashire
Catherine Sherwood   32 b Brighton
Bennett Sherwood   6 b Westr
Ellen Sherwood   8 b Shoreditch
James Sherwood   4 b Westr
John Sherwood   2 b do

Still looking on GRO...

Also try with no forename.

[rosie99]

There have been other topics on this family and the missing birth registrations.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=794132.0
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=794272.