|
|
|
|
|
| Family History Certificates |
 |
Skip to - interesting certificates
Certificates vary according to how the event was originally recorded. Methods changed over the years; from quill and ink in leather bound registers — to electronic data on computers.
Many older registrations have inaccurate or missing information, as not all of the particulars were provided at the time. In the 19th century high rates of illiteracy led to spelling variations and errors in recording information.
Year |
Certificate Style |
1788 - 1855 |
- Converted to a computerised format from Registry transcriptions of Early Church Records.
- Transcriptions only (computer generated).
We don't hold the original handwritten versions.
|
1856 - 1951 |
- Usually digital reproductions of actual handwritten entries in large registers. Where the ink is faded or the record deteriorated, this is converted to a computerised format.
|
1952 - Present |
- Either computer generated or printed copies of the original (typed or handwritten) registration held on microfilm.
|
All certificates are a complete version of information that has been recorded on the original registration. |
- If a certificate is not suitable for reproduction in a computerised format and needs to be retyped, we will provide all the details which appear on the original register which the law allows us to include, e.g. amendments, corrections or annotations.
- By law, the words 'illegitimate' or 'spinster' cannot appear on any birth certificate issued, even if the original registration included them.
- Early Church Records — only list baptisms, burials and marriages (1788 - 1855) and have limited information, usually names of parties, date and place of event.
- Marriage registers — many, particularly from 1856 - 1890's, do not show all particulars which the relevant church may still record. Some entries were updated based on information from church societies.
|
In general, more recent standard birth, death and marriage certificates include the following information. |
Birth Certificates
|
- Full name, sex, date and place of birth
- Mother's details including full name and maiden name, age, occupation, place of birth
- Father's details including full name, age, occupation, place of birth
- Date and place of parent's marriage
- Previous children of the relationship
|
Death Certificates |
- Full name, sex and age, date and place of death, place of residence, usual occupation and marital status at date of death
- Place of marriage, age when married, full name of spouse
- Children's name and ages
- Parent's names including mother's maiden name
- Cause of death and duration of last illness
- Burial or cremation date and place
|
Marriage Certificates |
- Bridegroom's full name, occupation, place of residence, conjugal status, place and date of birth, age, father's name and mother's maiden name
- Bride's full name, occupation, place of residence, conjugal status, place and date of birth, age, father's name and mother's maiden name
- Celebrant's name and witnesses
|
Years of Access |
Family History Certificates are available for the following years:
- Births: that occurred 100 years ago or more
- Marriages: that occurred 50 years ago or more
- Deaths: that occurred 30 years ago or more
To assist customers with their family history research, we provide free access to unrestricted birth, death and marriage records in the Online Historical Indexes.
|
|
|
Cost for Birth, Death or Marriage certificates
|
Standard |
Urgent |
|
$31.00 |
$54.00 |
- Without Registration Number
|
$40.00 |
$63.00 |
- Purchase online (If you supply the Registration Number, you receive a discounted fee as the Registry does not have to search for the record.)
If you are not able to apply online, you have the option to download, print out and complete a:
Family History Certificate Application Form
Mail to:
- NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages
GPO Box 30
SYDNEY NSW 2001
You can also deliver the completed application form in person to one of our Registry office locations
Identification is not required with your application.
Back to Top
Interesting Certificates
- There are many fascinating historical certificates among the Registry's 18 million records, often relating to prominent (or notorious) Australians.
The first marriage
Famous women
- Dame Nellie Melba was Australia's foremost opera singer. She was born Helen Porter Mitchell in 1861 in Richmond, Victoria. She even had a dessert named after her: the Peach Melba.
- Mary Reiby (nee Haydock) - born in England in 1777. Transported to the colony for horse stealing in 1790. By 1820, she had become one of the most successful businesswomen in the colony..
Bushrangers
- Ben Hall - born in in Breeza in 1837. The son of ex-convicts, though there is no official record of his birth. One of the most notorious bushrangers in NSW history, known for outracing police on stolen racehorses.
- Frederick Ward (Captain Thunderbolt) - born in Wilberforce, near Windsor, in 1835, though there is no record of his birth. Arrested several times for horse stealing and known for carrying out armed robberies near Bourke, Moree and Gunnedah.
Famous Men
- Victor Trumper - born 2 November 1877 in Sydney. Touring with the Australian cricket team in 1899, he became the first Australian to score 300 in England and was also the first batsman to record a century before lunch in a Test at the Old Trafford.
- Henry Lawson - born 17 June 1867 at Grenfell in NSW. One of Australia's premier poets and writers. Partially deaf and unable to find a job or succeed in his studies, Lawson turned to writing.
Unusual Certificates
- Thomas Snell
Died: 7 July 1856 at Bendolba
Cause of Death: "Visitation of God"
- Doris Frances Glover
Married: 24 March 1924 at Taree Police Station
Age at marriage: 11 years
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
