Certificates vary in
appearance based on how the event was originally recorded. The methods have 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.
- These are transcriptions only (computer generated).
The Registry doesn't hold the original handwritten versions for this period.
|
1856 - 1951 |
- Usually digital reproductions of
the 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 types 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.
Certificate Content
- 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 and so it's best to contact the church in question for their record. Some entries were updated based on information supplied by 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
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