Be savvy about charges
Thank you for the article in your August issue highlighting the registration system and the importance of locally held copies.
There are variable charges being made – inflicted – by some local registrars’ offices. While some only ask £1 for P&P, some are adding considerably more as a ‘processing’ cost. There are examples of extremely high prices for ‘on the spot’: we had one enquirer attend a help desk in a local library horrified – as were we – at having been charged over £30. Relatively new to family history, she did not understand that the system was not set in stone from region to region, or that prices varied for immediate, next day, third day, by post, etc. She lived near the area of her forebears, so she simply hopped on the train and visited the registrar’s office. They seemingly had not explained their charging system to her: their cheapest option amounted to £16 – discovered when we checked their website (though not made obvious until you reach the ‘order’ stage).
Before ordering from any local office, check their charges. Some are made clear on their websites, but if they’re not then make contact and check in advance! Never pay more than £10 plus what you consider a reasonable sum for postage for a copy of any historic certificate.
Remember too that marriage registers for the Church of England are often held in county record offices. More and more of these holdings are coming online on subscription sites: you can see an image of the register completed at the church and signed (or mark made) by your forebears. It is – or should be – the same as the image from local registration services. That copy the enquirer paid £32 for could have been printed off in her local library… for 10p. Jacqui Simkins, Nuneaton & North Warwickshire FHS
Editor replies: It is certainly worth checking pricing first as well as any surviving church records.