VISIT THE GRO’S SITE

A free search of its birth and death records can be easier than using subscription websites – and uncover more information

The General Register Office’s website www.gro.gov.uk has become more useful than ever now that it has an online index for births registered in England and Wales between 1837 and 1918, and deaths registered between 1837 and 1957, and its pilot scheme offering PDF copies of these records for £6 has been extended indefinitely (although prices will rise to £7 soon and £11 for a hard copy). Unlike most of the commercial websites, searching for a birth here can be narrowed down using the mother’s maiden name as early as 1837; the death index reveals ages throughout the period; and names are usually given in full, instead of replacing middle names with initials.