Newcastle Registrars index search

[Tickettyboo]

I looked at the Newcastle Registrars site today. Got quite excited when the page said I could search their index (I'm still mourning the loss of their marriages search that disappeared years ago).

https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/family-history/historical-searches

So I searched for a marriage of George Smith in 1849, in the hope that they have restored the old index or at least a version of it.

I got two results in 1849 (and they also included one in 1848 as they search a year either side)

So I clicked on one - expecting, in my innocence, to see the name of the spouse and maybe their local reference.
No such luck, all I have is three instances of a George Smith being married - NO details as to WHO he married, but I'm invited to choose one and apply for a copy cert - how do I decide from that which one to apply for?
I think they have lost the plot!

Boo

[jonwarrn]

George Smith married Mary Jane Gray, 15 July 1849
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRW-96SG

George Liddell Smith married Jane Errington, 4 August 1849
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRW-Q53D

Mary Gray appears only once in 1849 on the Newcastle website, so you could order via her if that is what you need, but there are two Jane Errington marriages

[Tickettyboo]

Thank you, kind of you to look. I wasn't actually looking to order a cert - I'd managed to discount this marriage by similar means.

I was 'hoping' they were going to give us what we used to have, a searchable index that not only gave the spouse's name but also a date and a venue for the marriage.

Which isn't what has appeared, but for the life of me I can't see the point of a search that gives 3 options, no way to distinguish between them - but you can pay to order a copy.
No point in searching to not at least get a chance of identifying the correct record


Boo

[jonwarrn]

Hi
The results they give you are pretty awful, I must admit
It might be downright impossible to order some things, without a strong possibility of getting the completely the wrong certificate.
Perhaps they are trying to discourage people from ordering from them?
John

[Tickettyboo]

Perhaps they are trying to discourage people from ordering from them?
John

The first paragraph on this page would seem to suggest that is correct.
https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/family-history/historical-searches

Though if they still had the old search (with venue and date) I for one would be, as long as its an Anglican Venue, ordering from Woodhorn who will provide a lovely crisp clear scan of the original register for £5, rather than an official cert at £11.
I like 2 for less than the price of one :-)

Boo

[jonwarrn]

Good spot, Boo!
I never read anything on those sites, and go straight to the search

Perhaps we need a BMD website, like the excellent Lancashire one, for the north east.
That Woodhorn option for getting copies sounds cool.

[Tickettyboo]

That sort of BMD site would need co-operation from the relevant registrars etc. Experience tells me that is unlikely to happen in the areas we are talking about.

I am a big fan of local archives, especially for marriage records.

Woodhorn have provided me with many marriage entries at less than half the cost of gro certs, I not only get the nearest possible record to the event that happened on the day I get to see the good stuff like original signatures ( providing they had the opportunity to learn how to write their name)

Durham Records Office (though their offerings are from microfilm, they are usually clear) also do the same service via their Quick Search facilty (£5 per record)  and it really 'is' quick - depending on when the order is placed it can be within an hour! but at worst its the next day.

Supporting the local archives is a good way to go. My budget has limits and the cheapest is quite often better. (in my opinion)

Boo