Genealogy Chat

Sorry if this is a really silly question but I've come to a brick wall. My GG grandfather, James Cornall, was born in 1834 in Matlock in Derby. I know he was married in Kent and I have his wedding certificate but I don't know how to get his birth certificate and therefore find out his parents details. Please if anyone can spare the time to help me I would really appreciate it as I don't know where to go next. Please help Kathryn

Before 1837 means you have to look in parish registers as Certs were not introduced until 1837.

Hi Kathryn Try going on the Records Office board and ask for a census look-up for Derbyshire in 1841 or 1851. If you have James' wedding certificate you will already have his father's name and occupation which will help you track down the right family on the census. As he was born before 1837 you will not be able to obtain a birth certificate as such, and will have to check his birth from parish records, possibly from the Records Office local to Matlock. I presume he is the James Cornall on the 1881 census at Ashford, Kent? It's quite an unusual name so it shouldn't be too difficult, hopefully! Good luck Helen

Matlock is the county record office for Derbyshire Margaret

Helen Yes that is the James Cornall you mentioned . I will try what you've suggested. thank you.

You could also try your local LDS (Latter Day Saints') Family History Centre to see if they could order in the records you want, if you are nowhere near Matlock. Happy hunting! Helen

Helen I didn't know I could do that. It's a good idea as i'm miles away in Fleet, Hants. thanks for the tip.

I haven't actually got around to trying it myself, yet! I believe it can take some time for them to arrive as they may come from Salt Lake City, but I gather they only charge a small amount and then they are available for some time (a month or so?), so you can take your time looking through them. Hope this helps you get further on. Helen

Kathryn I think there is an LDS centre in Aldershot.

I order films fairly regularly to my local LDS centre in Sheffield. They usually take a couple of weeks. I think the last one cost about £2.60

Well, I've learned something myself today, as well!!!

Thanks for the advice all I need to do now is pluck up the courage to ring the LDS as I get a bit nervous doing that sort of thing in case they think I'm wasting their time or something. I shall have to be brave .

Kathryn Don't be worried about ringing the LDS - they will be DELIGHTED to hear from you. I use my local LDS FHC every week because I am 400 miles from 'my' records office - they are great, helpful (but not pushy). Good luck! Marjorie

Marjorie Thanks for that. Could you advise me on what I am asking them for as I've not done it before and I don't want to look TOTALLY stupid, Please. Kathryn

Tell them what youve told us - they will then help you to look for Parish Registers which may cover the area (but you COULD do this yourself on the LDS site, go to um, library I think it is, and type in the area, you will then get a list of all the records that the LDS has on film for that area). They will then help you decide which film you want to see first and order it for you - cost about £2.70 I think. You then go home and wait for them to ring you to tell you the film has come - anything from a week to a month. They also have available in the actual centres most of the GRO and some of the censuses on film, depends if its 'your' area or not. Suggest you spend a bit of time playing with these even if you dont actually want any info - it will help your eyes to adjust to film reading, which, it has to be said, IS NOT FUN. Good luck Marjorie

Look up your local centre on the LDS website. It should tell you their opening hours. The best thing to do is pop in and ask the helpers for what you want. Personally I ask the youngest person there to help (there are some really old ladies at mine who are quite deaf and don't know how to work the computers) and they can look up the reference for the film you need. Don't be worried about going, just think of it as visiting a new library and having to ask for the book you want. I promise it's not scary and they won't mention religion!