Information in birth certificates

Birth Certificates - Information

Birth certificates are particularly useful when researching your UK family history. A certificate is issued when a child is registered. Prior to 1969, a certificate contained the following information:

Place and date of birth
First name(s) (if any)
Sex
Name of father
Name of mother (including the maiden name, so is particularly useful eg Philippa Watkins formerly Gawler)
Father's occupation
Signature, description and residence of informant
Date of registration
Name of registrar

Example

Birth certificate issued 1842

This picture shows part of the certificate for my great great uncle, Laurence Augustus Watkins, registered in 1842. In fact, it shows he was christened plain Laurence. The first column shows that Laurence was number 115 in the register. From column six, I was able to confirm his mother's maiden name was Gawler.

Since 1969, some additional information is provided, but this is of little interest to those searching for their ancestors.

footer for birth certificates page