Birth Certs- Gro

[Heatherblether]

From the newsletter recently received on birth certificates I thought I would mention that I got my first ever refund from GRO.

The back story is trying to locate the birth of my 2Xgr grandmother. She and her mother spent most of their lives in Scotland. I think I have bought 4 certificates over the years - ever hopeful.
My email said

We have been unable to process your application, please refer to the paragraph below.

Sometimes we experience difficulties with our records where the quality of the original document is poor and we are unable to reproduce a PDF accordingly. Unfortunately, on this occasion we are unable to issue a PDF reflecting the original document

 

[At home in NZ]

I got my first ever refund from GRO

Congratulations.

 

[Sue_3]

I'm glad that you got a refund but it must be very frustrating not to be able to see the record referenced in the index?

 

[Heatherblether]

Yes thats it Sue_3.

I have so few clues to go on and no obvious birth record.

 

[peter]

Yes thats it Sue_3.

I have so few clues to go on and no obvious birth record.

You can always order the certificate - they will probably send you a typed copy. Or else you could place an order with the local register office - this will be more expensive, but more likely to be accurate.

 

[Katie Bee]

We have been unable to process your application, please refer to the paragraph below.

Sometimes we experience difficulties with our records where the quality of the original document is poor and we are unable to reproduce a PDF accordingly. Unfortunately, on this occasion we are unable to issue a PDF reflecting the original document

I had exactly the same thing happen to me.
I ordered the certificate and that order was also refunded.
I eventually obtained a copy from the local register office, as Peter suggests in his post.
GRO wouldn't tell me what the problem was.
Good luck

 

[peter]

GRO wouldn't tell me what the problem was.

They're working from microfilm copies of the registers - if the microfilm is illegible then they cannot produce a PDF. However if you order a certificate they are legally obliged to provide one, so I am amazed they didn't.

 

[Katie Bee]

However if you order a certificate they are legally obliged to provide one, so I am amazed they didn't.

The GRO did not contact me at all to let me know the reason.
I phoned them up and was told that they could not send a certificate as it was a damaged entry and I would have to order from the local register office.