There are three types of Databases where records are either fully transcribed, partially transcribed on a "surname range" basis and also browseable records with images.
Fully transcribed records means every record in that dataset has been fully transcribed manually (from an image) including last name, forename, district, year etc. enabling faster and accurate searching
A partially transcribed record means only limited or partial information has been transcribed for instance only the first name and forename and last name and forename on an image has been transcribed. The records between have not, searching is therefore limited and only to page level in alphabetical order.
For example if we are looking for John Murray's Birth in 1921 Jul/Aug/Sept the 3rd quarter. Enter John Murray the year and quarter, there is 1 result and the first name on the page is James Murray and the last name is George Musgrave click on "View Image" to verify this information and locate John Murray's name as his name will appear in alphabetical order between the two names.
Browseable records are those you can browse by year, quarter, letter and similar to the partially transcribed records only the first name and forename and last name and forename on an image has been transcribed. Therefore select the image where the record is most likely to appear between the names in alphabetical order. Please see the section on "Browsing" below.
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Searching the GRO Indexes 1837 to 1865 and 1921 to 1983
For the period between 1837 to 1865 and 1921 to 1983 the images are not fully transcribed however they are partially transcribed and indexed on surname and forename range only i.e. the first surname and forename and the last surname and forename on the images and the name you are searching may appear between the two.
The database will locate all those images and usually display one page per quarter per year where the surname may appear. Therefore when you select "view image" on the search results page all the names from the first surname to the last surname will appear in alphabetical order on the image.
Let us for example search the birth records for a John Hunter during the period 1860-1865.
Enter the name you are researching, select the "From Year" and "To Year" and "Quarter". In this instance we have have selected "All" quarters and select "Search Records"
The system will Search the partially transcribed records and usually display one page per quarter per year i.e. 6 years x 4 quarters = 24 results in this example there are 26 birth results which is typical of common surnames where the name may appear more frequently.
In this instance John Hunter may appear in the first result between; James Hunter and Anthony Hurrell, view the original Index by selecting "View Image" to verify the name you are searching is the correct one.
BIRTH RESULTS FOR JOHN HUNTER 1837 - 1865
SAMPLE IMAGE OF THE BIRTH INDEX
As we can see James Hunter is the first name on the page;
SAMPLE IMAGE OF THE BIRTH INDEX
And we can see Anthony Hurrell is the last name on the page;
SAMPLE IMAGE OF THE BIRTH INDEX
On this image we find that several "John Hunter" appear on this image between the first and last names on the page, verify that you have the correct name if not go back to the search results and go to the next image.
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Searching the GRO Indexes 1866 to 1920 unique to Familyrelatives.com
Records between 1866 to 1920 have been fully transcribed and are fully searchable. The system will display a search results page with 20 matching records per page (at a cost of 2 units per page for example if there were 60 matching records these would equate to 3 pages or 6 units - if all 3 pages are viewed, applies to pay-per-view units only).
Take for example a births search for say Christopher Duncan during the period 1866-1920.
Enter the name you are searching, select the district, year and quarter. In this instance we have have selected "All". Select "Search Records"
The system will Search the transcribed records and it shows that there are 8 births search results, you may also view the original Index by selecting "View Image":
BIRTH RESULTS FOR CHRISTOPHER DUNCAN 1866 - 1920 - TRANSCRIBED INDEXES
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Searching the GRO Indexes 1984 to 2005
Records between 1984 to 2005 are fully transcribed and are fully searchable (same as 1866-1920). The system will find the exact query match. There are no images for this period.
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Browsing the GRO images 1837 to 1865 and 1921 to 1983
As well as being able to search on the first and last surname of an image we have introduced a "Browse" image facility for the period 1837 to 1865 and 1921 to 1983.
The "Browse" image facility on the Search Page allows you to browse images by selecting the event Birth, Marriage or Death on the Search page.
Select the year from the pull down menu then select the quarter, next select the letter of the Surname you wish to view.
A table will open with the Surname range of the letter selected. The surname range is the first transcribed surname and the last transcribed surname on the image. The name you are looking for may appear between the two names and click "view" for the image.
For example if we are looking for John Murray's Birth in 1921 Jul/Aug/Sept the 3rd quarter. Select the Browse Birth's on the Search page, then the year 1921 and the 3rd quarter.
Select M on the alphabet menu bar and there are 6 result pages with the letter M. Murray will be on the last page, go to page 6 and John Murray will be found between James Murray and George Musgrave (the first and last names on the page) click on view image to verify this information and locate John Murray's name.
One can see "John Murray" will be found between James Murray and George Musgrave view the image to verify this information and locate the John Murray name you are after on the Image below.
SAMPLE IMAGE OF THE BIRTH INDEX - JOHN MURRAY
Notes:
If the name does not appear in a quarter try a different quarter or year.
To view images make sure you have downloaded the DJVu viewer.
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Unable to locate a name in the GRO Index?
We recommend that you take a few minutes to read the description on the GRO search page you have selected which may help your searching requirements.
The General Register Office does not always list an event such as a birth, marriage or death in the quarter that it occurred the reasons for this include late registration of the event, clerical error or an omission that was later inserted and we would recommend increasing the search parameters.
Please check your information including the dates of your search and the spelling of names, the spelling of names may have changed.
Search Tip - Broaden your search criteria to include more years or a wider area. Please note that the registration of events is at District level.
Using the Wildcard
A wild card search can be used in any of the fields using a minimum of one character plus the wildcard except the Surname field where a minimum of two characters plus the wildcard are required e.g. An%. However this would produce many search results, although for example searching for Anth% (Anthony) would be more productive and accurate. Please note the "wildcard" symbol is % and not *.
Missing, omitted or hard to find records - "Getting started" by David Tippey read the article on why records are missing or have been omitted. Getting Started Article
Find out more about the GRO BMD Civil Registration Indexes and what information is on the Indexes
1837-1865 - PARTIALLY TRANSCRIBED - i.e. Searchable on Surname range and BROWSEABLE with images of the GRO Index
1866-1920 - FULLY TRANSCRIBED - i.e.Fully Name Searchable on any criteria with images of the GRO Index
1921-1983 - PARTIALLY TRANSCRIBED - i.e. Searchable on Surname range and BROWSEABLE with images of the GRO Index
1984-2005 - FULLY TRANSCRIBED - i.e. Fully Name Searchable on any criteria (no page images available)
If you have a search query Contact Us
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