Adopted Person
Brief by www.adoptionsearchuk.co.uk
This brief outline is designed for persons looking to trace a birth parent without access to their original birth certificate. If you have access to this certificate and you want to trace your birth parent the information contained within the birth certificate will almost certainly be enough to complete a trace of your birth parent.
How do I find my original birth details?
If you were adopted through a court in England or Wales and are aged 18 years or over you can apply for a certificate of your original birth entry and try to seek out more information about your origins.
Adoptions
Access to Birth Records for adopted persons
Adopted before 1975
If you were adopted before 12 November 1975 and live in England or Wales
If you were adopted before 12 November 1975 and live overseas
1. If you were adopted before 12 November 1975 and live in England or Wales
You are required to attend an informal meeting with an approved adoption advisor for confidential guidance, either with your local Social Services, at the General Register Office or, under certain circumstances, at the agency that handled your adoption.
You can also choose to see an adoption worker at another local authority. The General Register Office will forward your original birth information to your chosen approved adoption advisor.
See the following links for more information on: how the meeting is arranged, and what information is provided at the meeting.
Why do I have to see an adoption advisor?Before 12 November 1975, many parents were led to believe that the adopted child would never be able to find out their original name or the names of their parents. These arrangements were made in good faith. However, changes in legislation allowed adopted people to discover their original details. It is important that adopted people understand what this might mean, not only for themselves but also for others.
2. If you were adopted before 12 November 1975 and live overseas
You are required to attend an informal meeting with an approved adoption advisor. It is possible for this to take place in the country where you are currently residing, as long as a suitable body or organisation is available.
If you were born in England or Wales but adopted in Scotland, Ireland or overseas you will need to contact the General Register Office for that country in order to access your birth records.
Adoptions
Access to Birth Records for adopted persons
Adopted after 1975
If you were adopted between 12 November 1975 and 30 December 2005, are 18 years old or over and live in England or Wales
If you were adopted between 12 November 1975 and 30 December 2005, are 18 years old or over and live overseas
1. If you were adopted between 12 November 1975 and 30 December 2005, are 18 years old or over and live in England or Wales
You have a choice whether you would like to see an approved adoption advisor or have the information sent to you direct. You may find it helpful to see an adoption advisor, as they may be able to offer practical advice and guidance as well as discussing any concerns or issues important to you.
What happens if I choose not to see an adoption advisor?The material sent to you is the same information as that given to adoption advisors for people adopted prior to 12 November 1975.
You will be sent information about your birth name, birth parent(s) name(s) and your district of birth with which to apply for a certified copy of your original birth entry.
If an adoption agency or local authority was involved in your adoption you will receive this information. If not, then you will receive details necessary to make an application to the court for the name of the adoption agency or local authority.
The pack will also include a covering letter detailing how and where to apply.
2. If you were adopted between 12 November 1975 and 30 December 2005, are 18 years old or over and live overseas
While you are not legally required to attend a meeting with an approved adoption advisor, you can opt to do this if you would like to. As long as a suitable body or organisation is available, the interview can take place in the country where you are currently residing.
Adopted Children Register
Introduction
The Adopted Children Register is a record of all adoptions granted by courts in England and Wales since 1927.
When a court issues an adoption order a new birth entry is made in the Adopted Children Register. This replaces the original birth entry. The order also instructs the General Register Office to ensure the original birth entry is marked ‘adopted’.
The entire process, which includes instructing the registrar who holds the original birth entry, may take up to six weeks. Once this process is completed adoptive parent(s) will receive a free short adoption certificate.
The Adopted Children Register is not open to public inspection or search.
Adopted Children Register The General Register Office maintains a record of adoptions made on the authority of courts in England and Wales in the Adopted Children Register. It is from this Register that adoption certificates are issued.
Overseas adoptions may, in some instances, be registered in the Adopted Children Register.
Certificates from the Adopted Children Register can be applied for online, by telephoning the General Register Office direct on 0845 603 7788. Once you have been supplied with that document tracing agents can commence the birth parent trace.
Access to Birth / Adoption Records At 18, an adopted person can apply for a certificate of their original birth registration, via the Access to Birth Records service at the General Register Office.
From 30 December 2005 changes to the law will enable birth relatives to also apply for access to an adopted person’s adoption registration. However Access to Adoption Records for birth relatives must be done via Intermediary Agencies.
Adoption Contact Register Adopted person(s) or birth relatives wishing to make contact with each other can register on the Adoption Contact Register.
Adoptions
Access to Adoption Records for birth relatives
Introduction
From 30 December 2005 a birth relative wishing to make contact with an adopted person can apply to an approved Intermediary Agency.
The Intermediary Agency will help facilitate contact between birth relatives and adopted people.
The Intermediary Agency can apply to the General Register Office for the name of the organisation involved in the adoption or if that is not available the name of the court granting the adoption.
In addition the Intermediary Agency can apply to the General Register Office for information from the Adoption Contact Register and post-adoptive information which will enable an application to be made for an adoption certificate.
All this information can be used by the Intermediary Agency to decide whether to proceed but this will be subject to the views of the adopted person.
Monday 30 March 2009
Sunday 29 March 2009
Known Family Name
Finding surnames
Short guide to searching or constructing a family tree using a known name as the primary source.
If you treat the indexes as you would a telephone directory, searching them should become intuitive in no time at all. They are arranged alphabetically from A-Z. However, some comment is needed in respect of certain types of surname.
"Unknowns"
In the case of births and deaths, surnames beginning with Z may well be followed by a short sequence of registrations where the surname was unknown.
Mc and Mac
The methodology used by the GRO when indexing Mac and Mc surnames changed over time. Before June quarter 1969 these are indexed separately. However, from June quarter 1969 these surnames are interfiled, so that when searching June 1969 to December 1983 you must remember that they are all indexed as MAC. For example, MacDonald & McDonald are both indexed under MAC.
O’ names
If the name you are researching is O’Reilly or O’Shea, you should be able to find entries quite simply in the O sequence as if the apostrophe in the surname were not there – so that, for example, O’Shea comes between Osgood and Osler.
Double-barrelled surnames
These should be indexed after the entries for the first component of the hyphenated name. For example, you should look for Harvey-Smith after the Harvey entries. It would be after, say, Harvey-Jones but before Harvey-Wood. However, if a registrar or indexer did not interpret Harvey-Smith as a surname, but Harvey as a middle name and Smith as the surname, then the entry could be under Smith. It is not at all unusual to find that an indexer has erred on the side of caution and where in doubt entered the registration under both names in the index.
De or Le or St or Van / Van Der or Von names
If your name is, say, De Burgh or Le Jeune or St John or Van Horne or Van der Zyden or Von Essen, you should be listed under the first component of your name as if there were no space between the two components. For instance, De Burgh should therefore be in the index between surnames such as Debney and Debus.
Nuns
The deaths of nuns are often entered not under their true given name but using the formula Sister Mary, Mother Maria and so on. These are then indexed under S for Sisters, M for Mothers etc. Sometimes, they appear to be entered under the forename, so that a Sister Cecilia might be indexed under Cecilia or under Sister.
Jewish and Eastern European names
Immigrants in, for example, the 1890s were unlikely to be literate in English and, of course, registrars in England & Wales were unlikely to be fluent in the native language of the immigrant, such as Yiddish, Polish or Russian. Russian, of course, uses a different alphabet and can be transliterated in different ways from the Cyrillic to the Roman alphabet used in English. Accordingly, you should be very cautious when looking for events under immigrant surnames and try to think of possible variants.
Umlauts
If you are researching a German name containing an umlaut, such as Müller, remember that you may need to check under Muller and Mueller.
Titled
Births of persons bearing hereditary titles should appear under the true given names but their deaths may well appear under their titles, while their marriages could be under either the true surname or the title, depending upon whether or not they have already assumed their title from the previous holder.
Royalty
Births of royalty will usually be registered under their surnames – such as Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Battenberg or Mountbatten, Windsor. For example, the 1926 birth of HM Queen was entered in the index as the name Elizabeth A M Windsor
Short guide to searching or constructing a family tree using a known name as the primary source.
If you treat the indexes as you would a telephone directory, searching them should become intuitive in no time at all. They are arranged alphabetically from A-Z. However, some comment is needed in respect of certain types of surname.
"Unknowns"
In the case of births and deaths, surnames beginning with Z may well be followed by a short sequence of registrations where the surname was unknown.
Mc and Mac
The methodology used by the GRO when indexing Mac and Mc surnames changed over time. Before June quarter 1969 these are indexed separately. However, from June quarter 1969 these surnames are interfiled, so that when searching June 1969 to December 1983 you must remember that they are all indexed as MAC. For example, MacDonald & McDonald are both indexed under MAC.
O’ names
If the name you are researching is O’Reilly or O’Shea, you should be able to find entries quite simply in the O sequence as if the apostrophe in the surname were not there – so that, for example, O’Shea comes between Osgood and Osler.
Double-barrelled surnames
These should be indexed after the entries for the first component of the hyphenated name. For example, you should look for Harvey-Smith after the Harvey entries. It would be after, say, Harvey-Jones but before Harvey-Wood. However, if a registrar or indexer did not interpret Harvey-Smith as a surname, but Harvey as a middle name and Smith as the surname, then the entry could be under Smith. It is not at all unusual to find that an indexer has erred on the side of caution and where in doubt entered the registration under both names in the index.
De or Le or St or Van / Van Der or Von names
If your name is, say, De Burgh or Le Jeune or St John or Van Horne or Van der Zyden or Von Essen, you should be listed under the first component of your name as if there were no space between the two components. For instance, De Burgh should therefore be in the index between surnames such as Debney and Debus.
Nuns
The deaths of nuns are often entered not under their true given name but using the formula Sister Mary, Mother Maria and so on. These are then indexed under S for Sisters, M for Mothers etc. Sometimes, they appear to be entered under the forename, so that a Sister Cecilia might be indexed under Cecilia or under Sister.
Jewish and Eastern European names
Immigrants in, for example, the 1890s were unlikely to be literate in English and, of course, registrars in England & Wales were unlikely to be fluent in the native language of the immigrant, such as Yiddish, Polish or Russian. Russian, of course, uses a different alphabet and can be transliterated in different ways from the Cyrillic to the Roman alphabet used in English. Accordingly, you should be very cautious when looking for events under immigrant surnames and try to think of possible variants.
Umlauts
If you are researching a German name containing an umlaut, such as Müller, remember that you may need to check under Muller and Mueller.
Titled
Births of persons bearing hereditary titles should appear under the true given names but their deaths may well appear under their titles, while their marriages could be under either the true surname or the title, depending upon whether or not they have already assumed their title from the previous holder.
Royalty
Births of royalty will usually be registered under their surnames – such as Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Battenberg or Mountbatten, Windsor. For example, the 1926 birth of HM Queen was entered in the index as the name Elizabeth A M Windsor
Deaths
Searching for a death
The churches in England & Wales have been recording baptisms, marriages and burials at parish level for centuries. However, the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths – in other words, record-keeping by the state – did not begin until July 1837. At that time, the legal jurisdiction of England & Wales was subdivided, for the purposes of registration, into administrative areas known as registration districts. Within each district a district registrar would be appointed to take responsibility for the recording of births, marriages and deaths within their district.
Four times a year, a copy of the district registers was made for the Registrar General, who ingathered all the registers for England & Wales and collated them into a single countrywide index, arranged alphabetically by surname (and then alphabetically by forename within each surname). The indexes to the registers are quarterly rather than annual in scope – the four quarters being known as March, June, September and December. Each of these covers the month itself and the two preceding months, as follows:
January, February, March registrations in the March quarter
April, May, June registrations in the June quarter
July, August, September registrations in the September quarter
October, November, December registrations in the December quarter
Note that the quarters contain the deaths registered within them, which is not necessarily the same as deaths which took place within them. The reason why this is so is that legally deaths are required to be registered within five days of the event but, again, sometimes are registered late. A coroner’s inquest, for example, might significantly delay the issuing of a death certificate.
This means that some deaths which took place during a month in one quarter will be registered in a month in the next quarter. Clearly, this is most common for deaths which took place within the last month of a quarter. So, for example, a death in December might be registered in January (or, indeed, in February) the following year, which means that it would be registered not in the December quarter but in the March quarter of the year following that in which it took place.
Normally, then, where you have an exact date of death, you will find the entry for the death you are looking for in the same or the next quarter, as follows:
January, February, March death in the March or June quarter
April, May, June deaths in the June or September quarter
July, August, September deaths in the September or December quarter
October, November, December deaths in the December or the following March quarter
Troubleshooting
As previously mentioned, deaths should be registered within five days. However, if the person died in uncertain circumstances, an inquest may be held and this could delay registration further. If you do not find the entry you are seeking in the same or the next quarter, therefore, it is sensible at least to check the two immediately following quarters, to cover the possibility of late registration.
Where in the country?
Deaths are registered within the district in which they occurred, which is not necessarily the same as where they habitually resided – for example, if a person dies at work, or while travelling or on business. It is also the case that a hospital to which a dying person is taken might be in a neighbouring registration district to the one in which they resided – this is particularly likely in densely-populated urban areas, where there can be several districts within a geographically small area.
Age adjustments
One does not register one’s own death! Therefore, one should view with caution details recorded upon it, as the reliability of these will depend of the level of knowledge of the person acting as informant at the death. Recorded ages at deaths are often found to be unreliable. From September quarter 1837 to December quarter 1865 no age was given at all in the death index; from March quarter 1866 to March quarter 1969 the age at death is shown in the index; and from June quarter 1969 to present, the exact date of birth is given (please see key dates ). If a recorded date of birth appears to be incorrect – in other words, you cannot find a corresponding entry in the birth index – it is more likely to be the year, rather than day or month, that is problematic (although all three may be incorrect). Finally, of course, the individual may have been economical with the truth about their age during their lifetime and the misrepresentation may be inadvertently carried over to the registration of their death.
Spelling variations
If you still have no success, you may wish to consider spelling variations, either those genuinely in use by the family, or those accidentally created by registrars or by those copying them or preparing the indexes.
www.deathrecordsuk.co.uk
Searching for a death
The churches in England & Wales have been recording baptisms, marriages and burials at parish level for centuries. However, the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths – in other words, record-keeping by the state – did not begin until July 1837. At that time, the legal jurisdiction of England & Wales was subdivided, for the purposes of registration, into administrative areas known as registration districts. Within each district a district registrar would be appointed to take responsibility for the recording of births, marriages and deaths within their district.
Four times a year, a copy of the district registers was made for the Registrar General, who ingathered all the registers for England & Wales and collated them into a single countrywide index, arranged alphabetically by surname (and then alphabetically by forename within each surname). The indexes to the registers are quarterly rather than annual in scope – the four quarters being known as March, June, September and December. Each of these covers the month itself and the two preceding months, as follows:
January, February, March registrations in the March quarter
April, May, June registrations in the June quarter
July, August, September registrations in the September quarter
October, November, December registrations in the December quarter
Note that the quarters contain the deaths registered within them, which is not necessarily the same as deaths which took place within them. The reason why this is so is that legally deaths are required to be registered within five days of the event but, again, sometimes are registered late. A coroner’s inquest, for example, might significantly delay the issuing of a death certificate.
This means that some deaths which took place during a month in one quarter will be registered in a month in the next quarter. Clearly, this is most common for deaths which took place within the last month of a quarter. So, for example, a death in December might be registered in January (or, indeed, in February) the following year, which means that it would be registered not in the December quarter but in the March quarter of the year following that in which it took place.
Normally, then, where you have an exact date of death, you will find the entry for the death you are looking for in the same or the next quarter, as follows:
January, February, March death in the March or June quarter
April, May, June deaths in the June or September quarter
July, August, September deaths in the September or December quarter
October, November, December deaths in the December or the following March quarter
Troubleshooting
As previously mentioned, deaths should be registered within five days. However, if the person died in uncertain circumstances, an inquest may be held and this could delay registration further. If you do not find the entry you are seeking in the same or the next quarter, therefore, it is sensible at least to check the two immediately following quarters, to cover the possibility of late registration.
Where in the country?
Deaths are registered within the district in which they occurred, which is not necessarily the same as where they habitually resided – for example, if a person dies at work, or while travelling or on business. It is also the case that a hospital to which a dying person is taken might be in a neighbouring registration district to the one in which they resided – this is particularly likely in densely-populated urban areas, where there can be several districts within a geographically small area.
Age adjustments
One does not register one’s own death! Therefore, one should view with caution details recorded upon it, as the reliability of these will depend of the level of knowledge of the person acting as informant at the death. Recorded ages at deaths are often found to be unreliable. From September quarter 1837 to December quarter 1865 no age was given at all in the death index; from March quarter 1866 to March quarter 1969 the age at death is shown in the index; and from June quarter 1969 to present, the exact date of birth is given (please see key dates ). If a recorded date of birth appears to be incorrect – in other words, you cannot find a corresponding entry in the birth index – it is more likely to be the year, rather than day or month, that is problematic (although all three may be incorrect). Finally, of course, the individual may have been economical with the truth about their age during their lifetime and the misrepresentation may be inadvertently carried over to the registration of their death.
Spelling variations
If you still have no success, you may wish to consider spelling variations, either those genuinely in use by the family, or those accidentally created by registrars or by those copying them or preparing the indexes.
www.deathrecordsuk.co.uk
Marriage Records - www.marriagerecordsuk.co.uk
Marriages
Searching for a marriage
The churches in England & Wales have been recording baptisms, marriages and burials at parish level for centuries. However, the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths – in other words, record-keeping by the state – did not begin until July 1837. At that time, the legal jurisdiction of England & Wales was subdivided, for the purposes of registration, into administrative areas known as registration districts. Within each district a district registrar would be appointed to take responsibility for the recording of births, marriages and deaths within their district.
Four times a year, a copy of the district registers was made for the Registrar General, who ingathered all the registers for England & Wales and collated them into a single countrywide index, arranged alphabetically by surname (and then alphabetically by forename within each surname). The indexes to the registers are quarterly rather than annual in scope – the four quarters being known as March, June, September and December. Each of these covers the month itself and the two preceding months, as follows:
January, February, March registrations in the March quarter
April, May, June registrations in the June quarter
July, August, September registrations in the September quarter
October, November, December registrations in the December quarter
Note that, for the researcher, marriages, unlike births, have the advantage of being registered immediately at the time of the event. Normally, then, where you have an exact date of marriage, you will find the entry for the marriage you are looking for in the same quarter. Please note that our marriage records do not extend as far as the present day. Marriages suffer an unfortunate delay in reaching the central register, as (unlike births and deaths) the information relating to marriages has to be collated from churches and other religious establishments as well as district register offices.
Troubleshooting
Of the three events of birth, marriage and death, marriages might be the event where most inaccuracies are recorded – sometimes by accident and sometimes by design. The field on the certificate which must be regarded with most caution is that for age – note that what is recorded is declared age rather than proven age. It is therefore not uncommon for bride and/or groom to allow themselves some latitude and – how shall we say? – modify their respective ages. This might be done especially to reduce a disparity in age, where one party is significantly younger than the other. Some early certificates unhelpfully state merely that the bride and/or groom were “of full age”, which only suggests that they were over the age of majority, being 21 years of age at that time, and able to marry without their parents’ consent.
Bigamy
Sometimes, a bride or groom might be coy about their marital condition. Previous marriages might be concealed from partners, even when the marriage has been terminated by death or legally dissolved. Bigamy is not so very uncommon that you can rule out the possibility of finding it on your own family tree. In any event, be prepared to treat with caution all declarations of marital status found on marriage certificates.
Where in the country?
Marriages traditionally took place in the parish of the bride, which may or may not be located in the same registration district as the parish of the groom. Eloping was probably more common in fiction than in life but do not be surprised if you find the marriage of an ancestor out of area. You might even want to consider Scottish records for those whose idea of romantic included Gretna Green! It is a common misapprehension that what we would now call common law relationships were rare in the Victorian era. They may have been rarer but they were not so uncommon that you should feel shocked or startled to discover apparent evidence of them on your own tree.
IN whose name?
The indexes record each marriage under the names of both bride and groom, so for every one marriage there will be two entries in the indexes. From March 1912 the spouse’s name was recorded on the indexes so, if you know both names, the correct entry should be immediately identifiable. Before that date, where you know both names you will need to cross-reference any candidate entries against the other surname to see if there is a match. You are looking for a name match first and foremost but need to verify this against the registration district, volume and page number, which will always be identical. It is sensible to search under the more distinctive of the two names, unless you believe that this surname is at serious risk of being mis-spelt or being subject to spelling variation.
Spelling variations
If you still have no success, you may wish to consider spelling variations, either those genuinely in use by the family, or those accidentally created by registrars or by those copying them or preparing the indexes.
Searching for a marriage
The churches in England & Wales have been recording baptisms, marriages and burials at parish level for centuries. However, the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths – in other words, record-keeping by the state – did not begin until July 1837. At that time, the legal jurisdiction of England & Wales was subdivided, for the purposes of registration, into administrative areas known as registration districts. Within each district a district registrar would be appointed to take responsibility for the recording of births, marriages and deaths within their district.
Four times a year, a copy of the district registers was made for the Registrar General, who ingathered all the registers for England & Wales and collated them into a single countrywide index, arranged alphabetically by surname (and then alphabetically by forename within each surname). The indexes to the registers are quarterly rather than annual in scope – the four quarters being known as March, June, September and December. Each of these covers the month itself and the two preceding months, as follows:
January, February, March registrations in the March quarter
April, May, June registrations in the June quarter
July, August, September registrations in the September quarter
October, November, December registrations in the December quarter
Note that, for the researcher, marriages, unlike births, have the advantage of being registered immediately at the time of the event. Normally, then, where you have an exact date of marriage, you will find the entry for the marriage you are looking for in the same quarter. Please note that our marriage records do not extend as far as the present day. Marriages suffer an unfortunate delay in reaching the central register, as (unlike births and deaths) the information relating to marriages has to be collated from churches and other religious establishments as well as district register offices.
Troubleshooting
Of the three events of birth, marriage and death, marriages might be the event where most inaccuracies are recorded – sometimes by accident and sometimes by design. The field on the certificate which must be regarded with most caution is that for age – note that what is recorded is declared age rather than proven age. It is therefore not uncommon for bride and/or groom to allow themselves some latitude and – how shall we say? – modify their respective ages. This might be done especially to reduce a disparity in age, where one party is significantly younger than the other. Some early certificates unhelpfully state merely that the bride and/or groom were “of full age”, which only suggests that they were over the age of majority, being 21 years of age at that time, and able to marry without their parents’ consent.
Bigamy
Sometimes, a bride or groom might be coy about their marital condition. Previous marriages might be concealed from partners, even when the marriage has been terminated by death or legally dissolved. Bigamy is not so very uncommon that you can rule out the possibility of finding it on your own family tree. In any event, be prepared to treat with caution all declarations of marital status found on marriage certificates.
Where in the country?
Marriages traditionally took place in the parish of the bride, which may or may not be located in the same registration district as the parish of the groom. Eloping was probably more common in fiction than in life but do not be surprised if you find the marriage of an ancestor out of area. You might even want to consider Scottish records for those whose idea of romantic included Gretna Green! It is a common misapprehension that what we would now call common law relationships were rare in the Victorian era. They may have been rarer but they were not so uncommon that you should feel shocked or startled to discover apparent evidence of them on your own tree.
IN whose name?
The indexes record each marriage under the names of both bride and groom, so for every one marriage there will be two entries in the indexes. From March 1912 the spouse’s name was recorded on the indexes so, if you know both names, the correct entry should be immediately identifiable. Before that date, where you know both names you will need to cross-reference any candidate entries against the other surname to see if there is a match. You are looking for a name match first and foremost but need to verify this against the registration district, volume and page number, which will always be identical. It is sensible to search under the more distinctive of the two names, unless you believe that this surname is at serious risk of being mis-spelt or being subject to spelling variation.
Spelling variations
If you still have no success, you may wish to consider spelling variations, either those genuinely in use by the family, or those accidentally created by registrars or by those copying them or preparing the indexes.
Birth Records Searching
Births
Briefed by www.birthrecordsuk.co.uk
Searching for a birth
The churches in England & Wales have been recording baptisms, marriages and burials at parish level for centuries. However, the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths – in other words, record-keeping by the state – did not begin until July 1837. At that time, the legal jurisdiction of England & Wales was subdivided, for the purposes of registration, into administrative areas known as registration districts. Within each district a district registrar would be appointed to take responsibility for the recording of births, marriages and deaths within their district.
Four times a year, a copy of the district registers was made for the Registrar General, who gathered all the registers for England & Wales and collated them into a single countrywide index, arranged alphabetically by surname (and then alphabetically by forename within each surname). The indexes to the registers are quarterly rather than annual in scope – the four quarters being known as March, June, September and December. Each of these covers the month itself and the two preceding months, as follows:
January, February, March registrations in the March quarter
April, May, June registrations in the June quarter
July, August, September registrations in the September quarter
October, November, December registrations in the December quarter
Note that the quarters contain the births registered within them, which is not necessarily the same as births which took place within them. The reason why this is so is that legally there are 42 days within which to register a birth with the district registrar. This means that some births which took place during a month in one quarter will be registered in a month in the next quarter. Clearly, this is most common for births which took place within the last month of a quarter. So, for example, a birth in December might be registered in January (or, indeed, in February) the following year, which means that it would be registered not in the December quarter but in the March quarter of the year following that in which it took place. Normally, then, where you have an exact date of birth, you will find the entry for the birth you are looking for in the same or the next quarter, as follows:
January, February, March births in the March or June quarter
April, May, June births in the June or September quarter
July, August, September births in the September or December quarter
October, November, December births in the December or the following March quarter
Troubleshooting
Most family trees will, however, have one or more births which were registered late. In theory at least, there was a fine for late registration and some explaining to do. If you do not find the entry you are seeking in the same or the next quarter, therefore, it is sensible at least to check the two immediately following quarters, to cover the possibility of late registration.
Age adjustments
If, despite having an exact date, you do not find the entry for the birth you are looking for at or immediately after that date, treat the year with some caution. If, for example, the date is from, say, a modern (post-1969) death certificate, it may well be the case that the day and month are correct but the year is not. It is not at all uncommon to find that a person has modified their age – for instance, when declaring their age at marriage – and then this fiction has stuck with them over time. In respect of other people, their ages simply may have become hazy over time. In any event, in these circumstances, try checking a year or two either side of the given date, beginning with the same quarters. For example, if you have a birth which supposedly took place in January 1898 and it is not listed as it should be in the March or June quarters 1898, nor registered late in the September or December quarters 1898, next check the March and June quarters in both 1897 and 1899, as necessary.
Spelling Variations
If you still have no success, you may wish to consider spelling variations, either those genuinely in use by the family, or those accidentally created by registrars or by those copying them or preparing the indexes.
You can have the search undertaken for you via www.birthrecordsuk.co.uk
Briefed by www.birthrecordsuk.co.uk
Searching for a birth
The churches in England & Wales have been recording baptisms, marriages and burials at parish level for centuries. However, the civil registration of births, marriages and deaths – in other words, record-keeping by the state – did not begin until July 1837. At that time, the legal jurisdiction of England & Wales was subdivided, for the purposes of registration, into administrative areas known as registration districts. Within each district a district registrar would be appointed to take responsibility for the recording of births, marriages and deaths within their district.
Four times a year, a copy of the district registers was made for the Registrar General, who gathered all the registers for England & Wales and collated them into a single countrywide index, arranged alphabetically by surname (and then alphabetically by forename within each surname). The indexes to the registers are quarterly rather than annual in scope – the four quarters being known as March, June, September and December. Each of these covers the month itself and the two preceding months, as follows:
January, February, March registrations in the March quarter
April, May, June registrations in the June quarter
July, August, September registrations in the September quarter
October, November, December registrations in the December quarter
Note that the quarters contain the births registered within them, which is not necessarily the same as births which took place within them. The reason why this is so is that legally there are 42 days within which to register a birth with the district registrar. This means that some births which took place during a month in one quarter will be registered in a month in the next quarter. Clearly, this is most common for births which took place within the last month of a quarter. So, for example, a birth in December might be registered in January (or, indeed, in February) the following year, which means that it would be registered not in the December quarter but in the March quarter of the year following that in which it took place. Normally, then, where you have an exact date of birth, you will find the entry for the birth you are looking for in the same or the next quarter, as follows:
January, February, March births in the March or June quarter
April, May, June births in the June or September quarter
July, August, September births in the September or December quarter
October, November, December births in the December or the following March quarter
Troubleshooting
Most family trees will, however, have one or more births which were registered late. In theory at least, there was a fine for late registration and some explaining to do. If you do not find the entry you are seeking in the same or the next quarter, therefore, it is sensible at least to check the two immediately following quarters, to cover the possibility of late registration.
Age adjustments
If, despite having an exact date, you do not find the entry for the birth you are looking for at or immediately after that date, treat the year with some caution. If, for example, the date is from, say, a modern (post-1969) death certificate, it may well be the case that the day and month are correct but the year is not. It is not at all uncommon to find that a person has modified their age – for instance, when declaring their age at marriage – and then this fiction has stuck with them over time. In respect of other people, their ages simply may have become hazy over time. In any event, in these circumstances, try checking a year or two either side of the given date, beginning with the same quarters. For example, if you have a birth which supposedly took place in January 1898 and it is not listed as it should be in the March or June quarters 1898, nor registered late in the September or December quarters 1898, next check the March and June quarters in both 1897 and 1899, as necessary.
Spelling Variations
If you still have no success, you may wish to consider spelling variations, either those genuinely in use by the family, or those accidentally created by registrars or by those copying them or preparing the indexes.
You can have the search undertaken for you via www.birthrecordsuk.co.uk
Genealogy Research
Genealogy Research
Key dates for records in England & Wales
1 July 1837 - Introduction of General Civil Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths in England and Wales
Births
Pre-1875 – an estimated 6 to 10% of births NOT registered
1875 more rigorous enforcement of compulsory registration
September quarter 1837 to June quarter 1911 -- only first two full forenames, subsequent initials, registration district and reference number
September quarter 1911 to present -- only first forename, subsequent initials, registration district and number but also includes mother´s maiden surname.
Marriages
September quarter 1837 to December quarter 1911 -- only first two full forenames, subsequent initials, registration district and ref number
March quarter 1912 to September quarter 1962 -- if female was previously married, index shows maiden name and married name
March quarter 1912 to present day -- surname of spouse added
Deaths
1875 enforcement of compulsory registration
September quarter 1837 to June quarter 1911 -- only first two full forenames, subsequent initials, registration district and reference number
September quarter 1911 onwards - only first forename, subsequent initials, registration district and number
September quarter 1837 to December quarter 1865 -- no age given
March quarter 1866 to March quarter 1969 -- age at death given
June quarter 1969 to present -- exact date of birth given
Key dates for records in England & Wales
1 July 1837 - Introduction of General Civil Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths in England and Wales
Births
Pre-1875 – an estimated 6 to 10% of births NOT registered
1875 more rigorous enforcement of compulsory registration
September quarter 1837 to June quarter 1911 -- only first two full forenames, subsequent initials, registration district and reference number
September quarter 1911 to present -- only first forename, subsequent initials, registration district and number but also includes mother´s maiden surname.
Marriages
September quarter 1837 to December quarter 1911 -- only first two full forenames, subsequent initials, registration district and ref number
March quarter 1912 to September quarter 1962 -- if female was previously married, index shows maiden name and married name
March quarter 1912 to present day -- surname of spouse added
Deaths
1875 enforcement of compulsory registration
September quarter 1837 to June quarter 1911 -- only first two full forenames, subsequent initials, registration district and reference number
September quarter 1911 onwards - only first forename, subsequent initials, registration district and number
September quarter 1837 to December quarter 1865 -- no age given
March quarter 1866 to March quarter 1969 -- age at death given
June quarter 1969 to present -- exact date of birth given
Saturday 28 March 2009
Privacy And Missing People ?
Brief by http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/advice/missingpeople/
Privacy and Missing People
When people go "missing" it is not always the case that they have been harmed or are seeking to evade the law. We need to consider at what point their right to privacy outweighs the public interest in identifying them in the context of a BBC programme or web site.
It is worth bearing in mind some basic points:
How old is the missing person?
A child under sixteen may be considered to be at risk of moral or physical harm if alone and unsupported in the world. A young person between 16 and 18, depending on their circumstances and their capacity to support themselves, may also be at risk. Their safety would outweigh considerations about their privacy in the first instance; however, the decision whether to identify them would be taken in conjunction with their parents and any relevant authorities. If and when a child is found, no matter that their name and picture may already be in the public domain, the decision to further identify them would need to be considered once again in relation to their current circumstances and future welfare.
An elderly person may be considered to be as vulnerable as a young child, depending on their age, their state of health and mental capacity. However, their right to privacy needs to be considered when deciding what intimate facts about their life to report, however relevant to the story of their disappearance.
If a person is a competent adult, and there is no reason to believe they have been abducted, assaulted or murdered, their right to privacy may outweigh the public interest in identifying them as a "missing person" on national television. A judgment will have to be made based on the known circumstances of their disappearance.
What is their legal status?
If a person is facing legal charges or is believed, with good reason, to be involved in criminal activities, their disappearance may be linked to a desire to evade the law or to live outside of the law. Their right to privacy is compromised by their criminal status.
If a person does not have the right to remain in the UK, then their disappearance may be related to a wish to evade detection as an illegal immigrant and consequent deportation. This would also undermine their right to privacy.
What is their state of health?
If a person is currently suffering a mental illness, or has a history of mental illness, such that they may harm themselves or harm another, identifying them may be more important than their right to privacy. Equally, if they are by virtue of their illness unable to take responsibility for themselves, identifying them may be important to their safety.
If a person needs urgent medical attention or medication for a chronic illness, this too could be seen to outweigh their right to privacy; however, to broadcast details of their illness or treatment would usually be considered an infringement of their privacy.
What are the circumstances of their disappearance?
If an adult disappears from a domestic situation which is conflict-ridden and stressful, or possibly abusive, their right to privacy and to make a new life might outweigh any desire by friends and family to identify them with the intention of locating them or persuading them to return home.
If an adult leaves a family with no visible means of support, with a large number of debts or in desperate personal circumstances, our sympathies might lie with the family but we would still have to consider whether such a person has lost the right to privacy. The fact that they have abdicated their social responsibilities may or may not have a bearing on our decision to identify them.
If an adult is reported by family to be missing but we have good reason to believe, from talking to friends or work colleagues, that he or she may simply have re-located to escape an untenable domestic or professional situation, we should respect their right to privacy above and beyond the willingness of the family (or the police) to identify them as a "missing person". If we cannot establish, evidentially, whether a person has gone missing willingly or unwillingly, we should consider the balance of probabilities according to the circumstances and in relation to the public interest in telling the story. There should be no automatic assumption of exposure.
If a child or young person runs away from what is reported to be a conflict-ridden, abusive or neglectful home, their ongoing safety and welfare should be considered according to the BBC's Child Protection Policy . The case may need to be referred to Social Services. In this instance the family's possible desire to identify and locate them would take second place to the child's needs.
Privacy and Missing People
When people go "missing" it is not always the case that they have been harmed or are seeking to evade the law. We need to consider at what point their right to privacy outweighs the public interest in identifying them in the context of a BBC programme or web site.
It is worth bearing in mind some basic points:
How old is the missing person?
A child under sixteen may be considered to be at risk of moral or physical harm if alone and unsupported in the world. A young person between 16 and 18, depending on their circumstances and their capacity to support themselves, may also be at risk. Their safety would outweigh considerations about their privacy in the first instance; however, the decision whether to identify them would be taken in conjunction with their parents and any relevant authorities. If and when a child is found, no matter that their name and picture may already be in the public domain, the decision to further identify them would need to be considered once again in relation to their current circumstances and future welfare.
An elderly person may be considered to be as vulnerable as a young child, depending on their age, their state of health and mental capacity. However, their right to privacy needs to be considered when deciding what intimate facts about their life to report, however relevant to the story of their disappearance.
If a person is a competent adult, and there is no reason to believe they have been abducted, assaulted or murdered, their right to privacy may outweigh the public interest in identifying them as a "missing person" on national television. A judgment will have to be made based on the known circumstances of their disappearance.
What is their legal status?
If a person is facing legal charges or is believed, with good reason, to be involved in criminal activities, their disappearance may be linked to a desire to evade the law or to live outside of the law. Their right to privacy is compromised by their criminal status.
If a person does not have the right to remain in the UK, then their disappearance may be related to a wish to evade detection as an illegal immigrant and consequent deportation. This would also undermine their right to privacy.
What is their state of health?
If a person is currently suffering a mental illness, or has a history of mental illness, such that they may harm themselves or harm another, identifying them may be more important than their right to privacy. Equally, if they are by virtue of their illness unable to take responsibility for themselves, identifying them may be important to their safety.
If a person needs urgent medical attention or medication for a chronic illness, this too could be seen to outweigh their right to privacy; however, to broadcast details of their illness or treatment would usually be considered an infringement of their privacy.
What are the circumstances of their disappearance?
If an adult disappears from a domestic situation which is conflict-ridden and stressful, or possibly abusive, their right to privacy and to make a new life might outweigh any desire by friends and family to identify them with the intention of locating them or persuading them to return home.
If an adult leaves a family with no visible means of support, with a large number of debts or in desperate personal circumstances, our sympathies might lie with the family but we would still have to consider whether such a person has lost the right to privacy. The fact that they have abdicated their social responsibilities may or may not have a bearing on our decision to identify them.
If an adult is reported by family to be missing but we have good reason to believe, from talking to friends or work colleagues, that he or she may simply have re-located to escape an untenable domestic or professional situation, we should respect their right to privacy above and beyond the willingness of the family (or the police) to identify them as a "missing person". If we cannot establish, evidentially, whether a person has gone missing willingly or unwillingly, we should consider the balance of probabilities according to the circumstances and in relation to the public interest in telling the story. There should be no automatic assumption of exposure.
If a child or young person runs away from what is reported to be a conflict-ridden, abusive or neglectful home, their ongoing safety and welfare should be considered according to the BBC's Child Protection Policy . The case may need to be referred to Social Services. In this instance the family's possible desire to identify and locate them would take second place to the child's needs.
Trace Absent Parent For Child support
Brief supplied by www.csaabsentparent.co.uk
Tracing anAbsent Parent or HusbandChild Support Agency or for Maintenance problems associated with locating or tracing a missing person for financial reasons.
The reality is one in two marriages fail or goes through major periods of separation and a high proportion of those marriages involve a partner who leaves either the partner and or children without any contact details for a future residence etc. The difficulties in serving legal papers or negotiating a financial settlement if you do not know where or how to contact the absent parent is both frustrating and possibly financially catastrophic.
The CSA will require an address where the Absent parent can be contacted , it is our experience in dealing with hundreds of CSA cases that they will not go out of their way to search for people and certainly not take positive steps to identify any assets including property which may be a factor in any financial determinations.Some people search sites like 192 .com and others of a similar ilk. These sites merely allow you to search electoral rolls and other public records which in all probability the person is unlikely to be recorded upon for a number of very obvious reasons, it is a fact that over 30% of the population are not recorded upon the edited edition of the electoral roll and given that the individual as left relatively recently they will most certainly not feature upon any of these sites, especially if they have moved in with a new partner within a new area!. You cannot expect to succeed in your search by merely trawling registers of births, deaths, marriages or telephone directories. That is a reality of life.All those who have had experience of on line research sites will understand that accessing on line search engines can only take the investigation so far.
It is the skill and experience of the Trace agent armed with the most comprehensive information data bases that the general public do not have access to. Those tools and experienced agents will make the difference between stumbling from one site to another and getting that key piece of information which will allow you to take positive decisions about your future.The most common questions we get asked are “How do you find People” “What Information do you need to locate somebody” and many more. The straight answer is clear and honest, make the phone call on 0844 88 42 831 to discuss any question you may have with our experienced agents and get all the answers you need to reassure you that we can succeed in a successful investigation.
Tracing anAbsent Parent or HusbandChild Support Agency or for Maintenance problems associated with locating or tracing a missing person for financial reasons.
The reality is one in two marriages fail or goes through major periods of separation and a high proportion of those marriages involve a partner who leaves either the partner and or children without any contact details for a future residence etc. The difficulties in serving legal papers or negotiating a financial settlement if you do not know where or how to contact the absent parent is both frustrating and possibly financially catastrophic.
The CSA will require an address where the Absent parent can be contacted , it is our experience in dealing with hundreds of CSA cases that they will not go out of their way to search for people and certainly not take positive steps to identify any assets including property which may be a factor in any financial determinations.Some people search sites like 192 .com and others of a similar ilk. These sites merely allow you to search electoral rolls and other public records which in all probability the person is unlikely to be recorded upon for a number of very obvious reasons, it is a fact that over 30% of the population are not recorded upon the edited edition of the electoral roll and given that the individual as left relatively recently they will most certainly not feature upon any of these sites, especially if they have moved in with a new partner within a new area!. You cannot expect to succeed in your search by merely trawling registers of births, deaths, marriages or telephone directories. That is a reality of life.All those who have had experience of on line research sites will understand that accessing on line search engines can only take the investigation so far.
It is the skill and experience of the Trace agent armed with the most comprehensive information data bases that the general public do not have access to. Those tools and experienced agents will make the difference between stumbling from one site to another and getting that key piece of information which will allow you to take positive decisions about your future.The most common questions we get asked are “How do you find People” “What Information do you need to locate somebody” and many more. The straight answer is clear and honest, make the phone call on 0844 88 42 831 to discuss any question you may have with our experienced agents and get all the answers you need to reassure you that we can succeed in a successful investigation.
Old Friends Trace
Brief supplied by www.trace4u.co.uk
Tracing Missing Old Friends To a current address is unlikely to be achieved via on-line people search sites due to an absence of current data upon the missing person, most of the on-line people search sites merely repackage basic public records. These sites sell you search credits which appear good value but in the long run it turns out to a false economy.
Trace and Locate Old Boyfriends or Girlfriends.Find Missing Friends Trace Old Army Friends or Buddies Locate and Find Old School or College Friends Find Old Work Friends These types of instructions are best handled by the most experienced agents because the research required to process the trace can be difficult and attention to detail is very important. We will work towards finding a persons address or place of business dependant upon your instructions so that you may be reunited with that old friend colleague or lover. Finding missing lovers or old army friend is a normal instruction for Trace4u and once instructed the trace will commence immediately and you’re confidentiality will be of the utmost importance to us all for £ 99.99
To start that all important trace visit www.trace4u.co.uk
Tracing Missing Old Friends To a current address is unlikely to be achieved via on-line people search sites due to an absence of current data upon the missing person, most of the on-line people search sites merely repackage basic public records. These sites sell you search credits which appear good value but in the long run it turns out to a false economy.
Trace and Locate Old Boyfriends or Girlfriends.Find Missing Friends Trace Old Army Friends or Buddies Locate and Find Old School or College Friends Find Old Work Friends These types of instructions are best handled by the most experienced agents because the research required to process the trace can be difficult and attention to detail is very important. We will work towards finding a persons address or place of business dependant upon your instructions so that you may be reunited with that old friend colleague or lover. Finding missing lovers or old army friend is a normal instruction for Trace4u and once instructed the trace will commence immediately and you’re confidentiality will be of the utmost importance to us all for £ 99.99
To start that all important trace visit www.trace4u.co.uk
Thursday 26 March 2009
People Searching By On-Line People Search Sites
People Searching supplied by www.freefindmissingpeople.co.uk
People Searching By Yourself via on line search sites who charge search credits like 192.com and tracesmart. If you cannot afford a professional tracing agent and you want to spend money on search credits you should consider the following points. Good luck with your search! You will need it.
If you’ve spent the last few years meticulously tracing your roots and creating a family tree, why not use this information to get in touch with distant living relations? This is your chance to complete your family picture by using the threads of information you have uncovered to search for relations across the UK.
Or maybe you’re looking for immediate family members and friends that you’ve lost touch with or were separated from? It can be a lot easier to find the people you’re looking for than you think.
If you’re looking for distant or missing relatives.
1) Arm yourself with the facts
If you’re an avid family history researcher, you will already be familiar with the need to collate as many names and dates as possible before you start your research. The same applies with tracing living relatives. Start by preparing a list of all the names, locations and dates of key events such as births, marriages and deaths. Old address books are a great place to start. The more detail you can collect at this point, the easier and more successful your trace is likely to be.
2) Start your search narrow and work your way out
Many families hail from just one or two towns or villages in the UK. Once you have determined the most recent family surnames, search by that name in the areas they were last known to be living. Current Electoral Rolls are the best way to find a shortlist of potential living relatives. These are often linked back to Directory Enquiry records or you may find it less intrusive to try snail mail at first. Even if you don’t hit the jackpot straight away, you may foster a local contact that can help you from there.
3) Start your search wide and work your way in
If a narrow search doesn’t work in your favour, take advantage of our nationwide Electoral Roll searching. If you have a unique name or no idea where a person is living now, this will be your saviour. Other types of searching, such as Directory Enquiries, will require you to specify a location. If you are searching nationwide, try using additional search criteria such as the person’s likely age or the name of a person they may be living with (e.g. the name of their spouse) to narrow down your search.
4) Searching the marriage records
A common challenge with tracing female family members is they often change names when they get married. The trick here is to search the Marriage register by maiden name. Use the married name found on the wedding certificate to search the Electoral Roll for their current address.
5) Don’t forget their day job
It can be a long shot but 4 million people in the UK are registered as Company Directors. In addition to their full name and current contact details, you will find their exact age, nationality and their current and previous Directorships. Once you have a list of companies that they are associated with names, this can be used to find business contact details.
6) An aerial view of your roots
If some or all of your family migrated across the country or even emigrated overseas, it can be fascinating for descendants to see their ancestor’s home towns from an aerial view. Take advantage of the aerial photography and satellite images on many mapping websites today, including 192.com, to get a feel for the layout of the area and the rural landscape.
7) Don’t give up!
If you are not successful on your first round of searching, don’t give up. Most local Electoral Rolls and Director Reports are updated quarterly with a major update issued every year. The beauty of the Internet is that once this information is collected, it can be made available fairly quickly.
Good luck with your tracing.
People Searching By Yourself via on line search sites who charge search credits like 192.com and tracesmart. If you cannot afford a professional tracing agent and you want to spend money on search credits you should consider the following points. Good luck with your search! You will need it.
If you’ve spent the last few years meticulously tracing your roots and creating a family tree, why not use this information to get in touch with distant living relations? This is your chance to complete your family picture by using the threads of information you have uncovered to search for relations across the UK.
Or maybe you’re looking for immediate family members and friends that you’ve lost touch with or were separated from? It can be a lot easier to find the people you’re looking for than you think.
If you’re looking for distant or missing relatives.
1) Arm yourself with the facts
If you’re an avid family history researcher, you will already be familiar with the need to collate as many names and dates as possible before you start your research. The same applies with tracing living relatives. Start by preparing a list of all the names, locations and dates of key events such as births, marriages and deaths. Old address books are a great place to start. The more detail you can collect at this point, the easier and more successful your trace is likely to be.
2) Start your search narrow and work your way out
Many families hail from just one or two towns or villages in the UK. Once you have determined the most recent family surnames, search by that name in the areas they were last known to be living. Current Electoral Rolls are the best way to find a shortlist of potential living relatives. These are often linked back to Directory Enquiry records or you may find it less intrusive to try snail mail at first. Even if you don’t hit the jackpot straight away, you may foster a local contact that can help you from there.
3) Start your search wide and work your way in
If a narrow search doesn’t work in your favour, take advantage of our nationwide Electoral Roll searching. If you have a unique name or no idea where a person is living now, this will be your saviour. Other types of searching, such as Directory Enquiries, will require you to specify a location. If you are searching nationwide, try using additional search criteria such as the person’s likely age or the name of a person they may be living with (e.g. the name of their spouse) to narrow down your search.
4) Searching the marriage records
A common challenge with tracing female family members is they often change names when they get married. The trick here is to search the Marriage register by maiden name. Use the married name found on the wedding certificate to search the Electoral Roll for their current address.
5) Don’t forget their day job
It can be a long shot but 4 million people in the UK are registered as Company Directors. In addition to their full name and current contact details, you will find their exact age, nationality and their current and previous Directorships. Once you have a list of companies that they are associated with names, this can be used to find business contact details.
6) An aerial view of your roots
If some or all of your family migrated across the country or even emigrated overseas, it can be fascinating for descendants to see their ancestor’s home towns from an aerial view. Take advantage of the aerial photography and satellite images on many mapping websites today, including 192.com, to get a feel for the layout of the area and the rural landscape.
7) Don’t give up!
If you are not successful on your first round of searching, don’t give up. Most local Electoral Rolls and Director Reports are updated quarterly with a major update issued every year. The beauty of the Internet is that once this information is collected, it can be made available fairly quickly.
Good luck with your tracing.
Wednesday 25 March 2009
HOW TO REPORT A MISSING PERSON OVERSEAS
If you suspect that a relative or friend is missing abroad you
should contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in
London on 020 7008 1500 and ask for Consular Directorate,
stating the country in which you think the person is missing,
if possible. If you are abroad yourself, contact the nearest
British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.
It is important that you provide as much information as possible
about the missing person, for example:
• Name, date and place of birth
• Passport details
• Insurance details
• Itinerary
• The last place, date and time contact was made
• Mobile phone number/Email address
INFORMING THE UK POLICE
You, or a relative in the UK, should report the person missing
to your local police in the UK with a specific request that they
inform the UK National Central Bureau of Interpol, who have
resources and jurisdiction to investigate missing persons and
liase with foreign police.
You
You should be aware that responsibility for conducting
searches overseas rests with the local police force abroad.
UK police forces sometimes become involved by assisting
with matters such as enquiries into a missing persons
financial transactions.
Only occasionally do UK police forces become more actively
involved in the investigation. They can only do so at the
invitation of the government of the country in which your
relative or friend is missing. International police co-operation
is agreed and co-ordinated through Interpol (you should
note that Interpol do not accept enquiries from members of
the public).
WHO ELSE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP
You may wish to contact one or all of the following
organisations, which provide resources to assist in searching
for missing people or have considerable experience in tracing
missing people abroad themselves .
Private Detectives Tracing Service:
www.peoplesearchoverseas.co.uk
Full fee based missing people tracing agency.
should contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in
London on 020 7008 1500 and ask for Consular Directorate,
stating the country in which you think the person is missing,
if possible. If you are abroad yourself, contact the nearest
British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.
It is important that you provide as much information as possible
about the missing person, for example:
• Name, date and place of birth
• Passport details
• Insurance details
• Itinerary
• The last place, date and time contact was made
• Mobile phone number/Email address
INFORMING THE UK POLICE
You, or a relative in the UK, should report the person missing
to your local police in the UK with a specific request that they
inform the UK National Central Bureau of Interpol, who have
resources and jurisdiction to investigate missing persons and
liase with foreign police.
You
You should be aware that responsibility for conducting
searches overseas rests with the local police force abroad.
UK police forces sometimes become involved by assisting
with matters such as enquiries into a missing persons
financial transactions.
Only occasionally do UK police forces become more actively
involved in the investigation. They can only do so at the
invitation of the government of the country in which your
relative or friend is missing. International police co-operation
is agreed and co-ordinated through Interpol (you should
note that Interpol do not accept enquiries from members of
the public).
WHO ELSE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP
You may wish to contact one or all of the following
organisations, which provide resources to assist in searching
for missing people or have considerable experience in tracing
missing people abroad themselves .
Private Detectives Tracing Service:
www.peoplesearchoverseas.co.uk
Full fee based missing people tracing agency.
Tuesday 24 March 2009
Simple Guide To Tracing A Birth Parent
Provided by www.birthparent.co.uk
Most Birth Parent investigations cannot be successfully completed by the general public.
http://www.birthparent.co.uk/ are tracing agents, probate researchers and private detectives.
We believe we offer a cost effective birth parent tracing service to those persons looking
to trace missing family member. Our Birth parent/adoption 2008 success rate was 84%.
Tracing people subject to an adoption order or a natural birth parent is a
Specialist service and often involves many hours of research to conclude an
Investigation. It is estimated that there are currently over 1 Million people within
UK subject to an adoption order. Formal adoption laws and practices first came
Into force during 1927. You can imagine most adoptions either formal or private
resulted in a complete and total loss of contact with the natural birth family. That
situation causes immense anguish not only to the adoptee but also on occasions
to the birth parent who in our experience may have endured many years
agonising over a very difficult decision often at a very young age or whilst in a
vulnerable position.
It is very important that all investigations are carried out with the utmost care by
our investigators. If the case involves an adoption prior to 12 Nov 1975 you are
obliged to receive counselling prior to any disclosure by local social services of
any relevant information to you. If the adoption took place after 11 Nov 1975 you
can choose whether or not you want to see a counsellor. Section 98 Adoption
Children Act 2002 makes it possible or at least makes a provision for birth
relatives to seek information from an intermediary service. Adopted people also
have a statutory right to access an intermediary service to initiate contact with
birth relatives.
Emotional support is required not only at the outset but throughout and after the
search, in our experience rejection either by the natural birth parent or the
adopted child can be very difficult to accept and all persons interested in
searching for a missing person should be prepared for rejection or knowledge that
the person has died. It is very important to be honest with yourself regarding
your expectations! To be brutally honest many birth fathers upon being traced
are overjoyed at being traced by a long lost birth child; he might equally be
hostile or at best indifferent, he may be in a long term relationship with children,
he may never have disclosed to his current partner aspects of his history? Tracing
agents are not normally blessed with a crystal ball and cannot foresee the
reaction of the person being traced although it is equally fait to say, if you do not
trace them, you will never know.
Many an adoptee and/or birth parents may have spent many hours carrying out
basic and rudimentary on-line searches for information; many of these
investigations will have been frustrated by the lack of accurate information
available on the internet. That is why we always recommend investigations into
either an adoption or a birth parent are carried out by experienced investigators
who have the necessary access to the best data sources money can buy.
The most common reason for searching is an overwhelming desire to understand
and discover what physical and or emotional traits they have inherited from their
birth parents. That burning desire to find the truth can be all consuming.
Clearly the more core information the client can supply the more chance of a
successful trace being completed. The best source of information regarding an
adoption is normally held by the adoption society/local social services or the
adoptive parents and dependant upon the core base information available a
number of avenues of investigations are open to our investigators.
It is true to say most investigations will involve an absence of contact for perhaps
thirty or forty years and in many cases no contact since the first 32 weeks of
birth.
To succeed in our tracing we will need to research extensively all available
records to identify further events either past or present, these events could be any or all of the
following if our investigation in to the primary trace subject is required:
1. Marriage/divorce records.
2. Births of children to either parent. Either full or Half related siblings
3. Death, further research may be required to identify surviving direct family
4. Emigration records / current residence within UK
5. Title deeds to properties to identify ownership details.
6. Possible investigations into a deceased estate ( probate), especially if the traced
individual has died intestate.
.
Good Luck in your search for closure. Should you have any further questions
please feel free to ask either on line: question@trace4u.co.uk or via telephone
Local Rate: 0844 88 42 831
Provided by www.birthparent.co.uk
Most Birth Parent investigations cannot be successfully completed by the general public.
http://www.birthparent.co.uk/ are tracing agents, probate researchers and private detectives.
We believe we offer a cost effective birth parent tracing service to those persons looking
to trace missing family member. Our Birth parent/adoption 2008 success rate was 84%.
Tracing people subject to an adoption order or a natural birth parent is a
Specialist service and often involves many hours of research to conclude an
Investigation. It is estimated that there are currently over 1 Million people within
UK subject to an adoption order. Formal adoption laws and practices first came
Into force during 1927. You can imagine most adoptions either formal or private
resulted in a complete and total loss of contact with the natural birth family. That
situation causes immense anguish not only to the adoptee but also on occasions
to the birth parent who in our experience may have endured many years
agonising over a very difficult decision often at a very young age or whilst in a
vulnerable position.
It is very important that all investigations are carried out with the utmost care by
our investigators. If the case involves an adoption prior to 12 Nov 1975 you are
obliged to receive counselling prior to any disclosure by local social services of
any relevant information to you. If the adoption took place after 11 Nov 1975 you
can choose whether or not you want to see a counsellor. Section 98 Adoption
Children Act 2002 makes it possible or at least makes a provision for birth
relatives to seek information from an intermediary service. Adopted people also
have a statutory right to access an intermediary service to initiate contact with
birth relatives.
Emotional support is required not only at the outset but throughout and after the
search, in our experience rejection either by the natural birth parent or the
adopted child can be very difficult to accept and all persons interested in
searching for a missing person should be prepared for rejection or knowledge that
the person has died. It is very important to be honest with yourself regarding
your expectations! To be brutally honest many birth fathers upon being traced
are overjoyed at being traced by a long lost birth child; he might equally be
hostile or at best indifferent, he may be in a long term relationship with children,
he may never have disclosed to his current partner aspects of his history? Tracing
agents are not normally blessed with a crystal ball and cannot foresee the
reaction of the person being traced although it is equally fait to say, if you do not
trace them, you will never know.
Many an adoptee and/or birth parents may have spent many hours carrying out
basic and rudimentary on-line searches for information; many of these
investigations will have been frustrated by the lack of accurate information
available on the internet. That is why we always recommend investigations into
either an adoption or a birth parent are carried out by experienced investigators
who have the necessary access to the best data sources money can buy.
The most common reason for searching is an overwhelming desire to understand
and discover what physical and or emotional traits they have inherited from their
birth parents. That burning desire to find the truth can be all consuming.
Clearly the more core information the client can supply the more chance of a
successful trace being completed. The best source of information regarding an
adoption is normally held by the adoption society/local social services or the
adoptive parents and dependant upon the core base information available a
number of avenues of investigations are open to our investigators.
It is true to say most investigations will involve an absence of contact for perhaps
thirty or forty years and in many cases no contact since the first 32 weeks of
birth.
To succeed in our tracing we will need to research extensively all available
records to identify further events either past or present, these events could be any or all of the
following if our investigation in to the primary trace subject is required:
1. Marriage/divorce records.
2. Births of children to either parent. Either full or Half related siblings
3. Death, further research may be required to identify surviving direct family
4. Emigration records / current residence within UK
5. Title deeds to properties to identify ownership details.
6. Possible investigations into a deceased estate ( probate), especially if the traced
individual has died intestate.
.
Good Luck in your search for closure. Should you have any further questions
please feel free to ask either on line: question@trace4u.co.uk or via telephone
Local Rate: 0844 88 42 831
Guide To Tracing A Missing Person
Guide To Tracing A Missing Person
How to trace a missing Person, family and old friends
There are several options available for people striving to make contact with a missing friend or relative. Which organisations you turn to for help depends upon whether the person you want to contact is a family member, an old friend or someone who might be described as 'vulnerable'. There are also specialist support services for parents whose children have been 'snatched' as part of a custody dispute.
The two best-known in our opinion charitable specialist tracing services are run by the Salvation Army and the National Missing Persons Helpline. They only operate a post box service. They will not pass you any details of the person being traced without their permission and require direct contact. They also pass your details to the person being traced.
The Three best known professional tracing agencies in our opinion are:
http://www.birthparent.co.uk/
http://www.findpeople4u.co.uk/
http://www.trace4u.co.uk/
All Tracing agents work upon the belief that you are the client because you are paying for a service and will supply all information discovered about the missing person and at the same time protect your confidentiality. They would never disclose a clients (you) personal details to the person being traced under normal conditions.
Getting back in touch
The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service is the first port of call for many people seeking a blood relative. Its mission is to restore family relationships by locating relatives who have lost touch. The break in contact may have been intentional and part of divorce or separation or can be put down to events such as moving away. The one aspect of this service people should be well aware of is they WILL NOT FORWARD ANY DETAILS of the traced person without their permission. When you instruct a professional tracing agency they will fully report to you all information. That is the stark and obvious contrast in services.
Each year over 4,000 new searches are started. The largest number of requests is for help in tracing a divorced spouse on behalf of young children who want to make contact with their estranged parent.
The average length of time that a relative has been out of touch is 16 years although in one case sisters were parted for 83 years before reuniting.
The service does not normally get involved in circumstances where adoption has taken place or with tracing friends, young people under 17, or mothers or fathers where there was no marriage between parents.
The service has years of experience in tracing family members – it began in 1885 – and the team of researchers carrying out the work manages to track down the person in about 85% of cases. The address of the found relatives is never revealed without their permission. When people are nervous of making direct contact (or of revealing their whereabouts to the 'seeker') the service will act as a post box until the family members are happy to forward their address.
.
Missing or Out Of Contact
While drifting apart from friends has its own sadness, the distress caused by the sudden disappearance of a family member is profound. An estimated 210,000 people are reported missing in the UK each year. Most return home within 72 hours but thousands do not.
The National Missing Persons Helpline (NMPH) was set up to trace and help missing people and support those who are left behind, waiting for news. They prioritise tracing vulnerable missing persons including children and young people, elderly citizens, people who have disabilities, are distressed or are ill. They also run a Message Home helpline for missing people to reassure family members. The team can pass on messages to family members without letting them know the caller's whereabouts and help get the caller to a place of safety.
The service uses a network of contacts to trace people and wherever possible passes on letters or messages to the missing person. In some cases, where the missing person is vulnerable, the charity also uses publicity such as ads in Big Issue or on TV or milk cartons.
They work with the police forces (who also refer people to the NMPH) where appropriate but are independent and not obliged to inform the police of the whereabouts of an adult missing person even if they are registered missing with the police. Under 18s who have disappeared are usually registered missing with the police before the NMPH is involved. If children contact the NMPH, the organisation will ensure they are safe and encourage them to use the Message Home service in the first instance.
Post An adoption
adoptees
If you are adopted and decide to trace your birth parents, you need to remember that this can be a frustrating and emotional time for you and your family. You may well need some extra support, such as counselling, to help you deal with it. Talk to your adoptive parents and family members beforehand to make them aware of the situation – they might be able to give you information that could help you and may know of reasons why you shouldn't get in contact with your birth parents.
People adopted in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have the right to get a copy of their original birth certificate from when they reach the age of 18. People adopted in Scotland have the same right when they reach 16. If your adoption records still exist, and the agency agrees, you may also be allowed to go through your file.
Birth relatives
If you are a birth parent or relative who wants to make contact with a birth son or daughter, the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) recommends the following steps:
Register with the appropriate Adoption Contact Register .Get in touch with the adoption agency that arranged the adoption, who may be able to help
Contact NORCAP, who have searching facilities and can offer counselling and other services
Contact a post-adoption centre for help, advice and support.
We would recommend http://www.birthparent.co.uk/ for a superb paid tracing service.
Full Paid Tracing Services
In real life the work of a private eye is a lot less glamorous but undoubtedly useful.
Lawyers have long employed private detectives to trace people mentioned in a will or needed to resolve a legal dispute. A private investigator can also be employed to track down a long lost friend or relative – for a fee.
The Three best known professional tracing agencies in our opinion are:
http://www.findpeople4u.co.uk/
http://www.trace4u.co.uk/
http://www.peopletraceuk.co.uk/
Relationship Breakdown
When relationships break down some parents take extreme measures to stay in contact with their children, including abduction – the removal of the child or children without the consent of the other parent or in contravention of a court order. In most cases this is a criminal offence and expert help from a solicitor should be sought.
The charity Reunite offers help and support to parents involved in parental child abduction and international custody disputes.
The organisation runs a helpline and publishes a child abduction prevention pack for England and Wales and a separate pack for Scotland and Northern Ireland. This gives legal procedures and practical steps children can take if they fear their children will be abducted. If the worst has happened and your child has been abducted contact the Reunite advice line immediately.
Looking To Be Reunited
On a lighter note the web is a useful aid to getting back in contact with old school and college friends, perhaps to arrange a reunion. On the Friends Reunited website surfers can post their name and details on a page dedicated to their leaving year at school or college or browse the site for news of others. There is no charge for using the site but if you want to email people whose details are posted, Friends Reunited charges a yearly registration fee (currently £7.50).
You can of course post a message upon the following free people search site:
http://www.freefindmissingpeople.co.uk/
How to trace a missing Person, family and old friends
There are several options available for people striving to make contact with a missing friend or relative. Which organisations you turn to for help depends upon whether the person you want to contact is a family member, an old friend or someone who might be described as 'vulnerable'. There are also specialist support services for parents whose children have been 'snatched' as part of a custody dispute.
The two best-known in our opinion charitable specialist tracing services are run by the Salvation Army and the National Missing Persons Helpline. They only operate a post box service. They will not pass you any details of the person being traced without their permission and require direct contact. They also pass your details to the person being traced.
The Three best known professional tracing agencies in our opinion are:
http://www.birthparent.co.uk/
http://www.findpeople4u.co.uk/
http://www.trace4u.co.uk/
All Tracing agents work upon the belief that you are the client because you are paying for a service and will supply all information discovered about the missing person and at the same time protect your confidentiality. They would never disclose a clients (you) personal details to the person being traced under normal conditions.
Getting back in touch
The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service is the first port of call for many people seeking a blood relative. Its mission is to restore family relationships by locating relatives who have lost touch. The break in contact may have been intentional and part of divorce or separation or can be put down to events such as moving away. The one aspect of this service people should be well aware of is they WILL NOT FORWARD ANY DETAILS of the traced person without their permission. When you instruct a professional tracing agency they will fully report to you all information. That is the stark and obvious contrast in services.
Each year over 4,000 new searches are started. The largest number of requests is for help in tracing a divorced spouse on behalf of young children who want to make contact with their estranged parent.
The average length of time that a relative has been out of touch is 16 years although in one case sisters were parted for 83 years before reuniting.
The service does not normally get involved in circumstances where adoption has taken place or with tracing friends, young people under 17, or mothers or fathers where there was no marriage between parents.
The service has years of experience in tracing family members – it began in 1885 – and the team of researchers carrying out the work manages to track down the person in about 85% of cases. The address of the found relatives is never revealed without their permission. When people are nervous of making direct contact (or of revealing their whereabouts to the 'seeker') the service will act as a post box until the family members are happy to forward their address.
.
Missing or Out Of Contact
While drifting apart from friends has its own sadness, the distress caused by the sudden disappearance of a family member is profound. An estimated 210,000 people are reported missing in the UK each year. Most return home within 72 hours but thousands do not.
The National Missing Persons Helpline (NMPH) was set up to trace and help missing people and support those who are left behind, waiting for news. They prioritise tracing vulnerable missing persons including children and young people, elderly citizens, people who have disabilities, are distressed or are ill. They also run a Message Home helpline for missing people to reassure family members. The team can pass on messages to family members without letting them know the caller's whereabouts and help get the caller to a place of safety.
The service uses a network of contacts to trace people and wherever possible passes on letters or messages to the missing person. In some cases, where the missing person is vulnerable, the charity also uses publicity such as ads in Big Issue or on TV or milk cartons.
They work with the police forces (who also refer people to the NMPH) where appropriate but are independent and not obliged to inform the police of the whereabouts of an adult missing person even if they are registered missing with the police. Under 18s who have disappeared are usually registered missing with the police before the NMPH is involved. If children contact the NMPH, the organisation will ensure they are safe and encourage them to use the Message Home service in the first instance.
Post An adoption
adoptees
If you are adopted and decide to trace your birth parents, you need to remember that this can be a frustrating and emotional time for you and your family. You may well need some extra support, such as counselling, to help you deal with it. Talk to your adoptive parents and family members beforehand to make them aware of the situation – they might be able to give you information that could help you and may know of reasons why you shouldn't get in contact with your birth parents.
People adopted in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have the right to get a copy of their original birth certificate from when they reach the age of 18. People adopted in Scotland have the same right when they reach 16. If your adoption records still exist, and the agency agrees, you may also be allowed to go through your file.
Birth relatives
If you are a birth parent or relative who wants to make contact with a birth son or daughter, the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) recommends the following steps:
Register with the appropriate Adoption Contact Register .Get in touch with the adoption agency that arranged the adoption, who may be able to help
Contact NORCAP, who have searching facilities and can offer counselling and other services
Contact a post-adoption centre for help, advice and support.
We would recommend http://www.birthparent.co.uk/ for a superb paid tracing service.
Full Paid Tracing Services
In real life the work of a private eye is a lot less glamorous but undoubtedly useful.
Lawyers have long employed private detectives to trace people mentioned in a will or needed to resolve a legal dispute. A private investigator can also be employed to track down a long lost friend or relative – for a fee.
The Three best known professional tracing agencies in our opinion are:
http://www.findpeople4u.co.uk/
http://www.trace4u.co.uk/
http://www.peopletraceuk.co.uk/
Relationship Breakdown
When relationships break down some parents take extreme measures to stay in contact with their children, including abduction – the removal of the child or children without the consent of the other parent or in contravention of a court order. In most cases this is a criminal offence and expert help from a solicitor should be sought.
The charity Reunite offers help and support to parents involved in parental child abduction and international custody disputes.
The organisation runs a helpline and publishes a child abduction prevention pack for England and Wales and a separate pack for Scotland and Northern Ireland. This gives legal procedures and practical steps children can take if they fear their children will be abducted. If the worst has happened and your child has been abducted contact the Reunite advice line immediately.
Looking To Be Reunited
On a lighter note the web is a useful aid to getting back in contact with old school and college friends, perhaps to arrange a reunion. On the Friends Reunited website surfers can post their name and details on a page dedicated to their leaving year at school or college or browse the site for news of others. There is no charge for using the site but if you want to email people whose details are posted, Friends Reunited charges a yearly registration fee (currently £7.50).
You can of course post a message upon the following free people search site:
http://www.freefindmissingpeople.co.uk/
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