Genealogy Chat

I am trying to obtain a Birth Cert for a Frederick Peters. Unfortunately there are 2 of them born same year, one in 1st qtr and 1 in 2nd qtr. Would it be better to apply for both with the correct numbers or, should I apply for one at a time without the numbers but stating fathers name . Does it cost any more to apply without the numbers, do you know.
Many thanks for those willing to advise me.
Phyll

Where and when is this?
Sometimes it is better to order through local offices rather than the GRO site online in these sort of cases.

Have you looked to see if Frederick is in anyone's tree on GR site?

Gwyn

Qwyn
They are both in Steyning in 1860, but I'm not sure if the Steyning Registry office is still there. I can't see anyone else on here with Fred on. Many thanks for your advice.

Just had a look on the GRO site and it doesn't appear that they charge any more for not supplying a reference number now..........so I guess if you just put in his father's name and the year, you should get the correct one sent to you.

As you go through filling in the form, it gives info and instructions so I doubt you'll have any problems. :-)

Mary

GRO used to offer a checking service -- it refunded half the price if the father's name didn't match the request, for instance. It doesn't do that anymore.

I've heard, though, that if you phone and ask, you can get the confirmation of which one to order. Just a rumour, though. ;)

I have never dealt with local registry offices myself, but I think that's a good suggestion.

http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/genuki/reg/districts/steyning.html

Abolished : 1.4.1935 (incorporated into Hove, Worthing, Chanctonbury, and Cuckfield registration districts).
Sub-districts : Hove, New Shoreham, Preston, Shoreham, Steyning
GRO volumes : VII (1837–51), 2b (1852–1935).
Registers now held by : West Sussex and Brighton & Hove.


Not sure how much help that is!

But you can go to the link above and there is a list of localities and what reg dists they're in now.

If you look in Search Trees section of this site, 2 people have a Frederick PETERS b. Portslade, Sussex.
This also came under Steyning registration district, so maybe they have information to share or can help you decide which is your Frederick.
Do you think your man was actually born in Steyning itself?
Can you help us find him in census please?

Gwyn

Gwyn
Apologies for an error in typing your name previously. The Frederick Peters in Portslade is not the one I am searching for. According to what I have found my Fred was born (according to census) in abt1860, abt.1862 and abt.1863. On the 1891 he is born Brighton, living in Newhaven. 1901 they show him as being born in Brighton, living in Brighton and on 1911 he is shown as being born in Findon, again living in Brighton so I have assumed registration in Steyning.
My thanks go to you, JaneyCanuck and Contrary Mary. Your help is greatly appreciated. I have been searching for so long now but I will crack it one day soon.
Phyll

Have you found him in 1871?

From the registrations of births, it certainly looks as if his birth was registered in Steyning District.

Hi Joy
I haven't found him in 1871 yet but have a possible if I can confirm birth.
I will see if I can get some information from Brighton or Worthing as I think they will be the registry offices where I may get help. I have spoken with someone at Worthing before about someone else and they are not at all helpful but in Brighton they are very good.
Thanks for your help.
Phyl
PS I'm going off line now so I wish you all a very goodnight.

Goodnight. I shall look at the ones born in Brighton from the census, and send a message to you or post here tomorrow. I, too, have had help from Brighton.
Happy hunting :)

I'm just a bit concerned that Steyning didn't cover Brighton, which had it's own registration district.

Do you know the parents of your Frederick, from a marriage certificate perhaps?
Maybe we could find him with parents in 1871 or maybe a baptism record.

Maybe his birth wan't registered...................... ?

Gwyn

In 1891 your Frederick c1861 has the initial 'W'. Could this be him?

1861 England Census
Name: Frederick Wm Peters
Age: 1
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1860
Relation: Son
Father's name: William Peters
Mother's name: Mary Ann Peters
Gender: Male
Where born: Edburton, Sussex, England
Civil parish: Upper Beeding
Ecclesiastical parish: Chichester
County/Island: Sussex
Country: England
Street Address:

Registration district: Steyning
Sub-registration district: Steyning
Piece: 606
Folio: 68
Page Number: 26
Household Members:
Name Age
William Peters 38 - Ag lab; Findon
Mary Ann Peters 36
James Peters 13
Arther Peters 11
Phillis Casia Peters 8
Allis Peters 5
Frederick Wm Peters 1

If this is him (I'm deducing from earlier posts that you know his father's name), then I would assume that the earlier Qtr would be your man.

Ozi

1871 England Census
Name: Frederick Peters
Age: 11
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1860
Relation: Son
Father's name: William Peters
Mother's name: Mary A Peters
Gender: Male
Where born: Edburton, Sussex, England
Civil parish: Findon
Ecclesiastical parish: Chichester
Town: Findon
County/Island: Sussex
Country: England
Street Address: Nepcote

Occupation: Shepherd Boy

Registration district: Thakeham
Sub-registration district: Washington
Piece: 1105
Folio: 74
Page Number: 28
Household Members:
Name Age
William Peters 47 - Invalid
Mary A Peters 46 - born Piddinghoe.
Arthur Peters 20
Alice Peters 14
Frederick Peters 11
Lewis C Peters 7

Despite the checking service being withdrawn for legal reasons, the GRO are still obliged to try and issue a cert, provided they can identify it from the information provided.

Going back to your original post, you order without the GRO reference, but put the date of birth as 01/01/YYYY You include all other information you are certain about, such as the father's and or mother's names

The GRO will then search a maximum of three years, one either side of the YYYY you quote. As soon as they find details which match they issue a cert. If, after searching the entire three years and nothing is found, you get a full refund.

I successfully applied recently for a cert for my wife's gg grandfather, who had such a common name in the location where he was born plus the fact we weren't sure exactly which year he was born in, there were around eleven possibilities to choose from. It worked.....!

However, expect to wait up to 4 weeks, rather and the usual week to get anything.

Ozbird
I am hoping against hope that the Frederick W you mention is the correct one. Many thanks for your help. I know that he had children: a boy called Louis and a girl called Alice which gave me to think he named two of his children after his brother and sister, possible I suppose.

InspectorGreenPen - thank you too for your help regarding the GRO - I think that is probably the best way to go .

To Gwyn in Kent - his father's name was William. Again my thanks to you.

Best wishes to all
Phyll