RichardB Posted June 21, 2008 Share Posted June 21, 2008 If you were born in 1837, would you be expected to be found on Civil Registration BDM-type-stuff; even if you were born early in 1837 ? and you surname was Woffindin <Wink> What date did the legal requirement to record such stuff start - anyone know ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HughW Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Civil Registration began on July 1st 1837. There was no penalty for non-registration of births until 1874. If you're feeling masochistic you can read the chapter and verse of the relevant Acts of Parliament on Guy Etchell's site. Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnm Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Because between 1837 and 1874 it was the responsibility of the Registrar to search out the events such as births , it is estimated that for example 15% of all births went unrecorded. Many people viewed this system ( and the census) with suspicion and had no great desire to comply either. In 1874 the onus was put onto the family to provide the information so missing data reduced. However, even after 1874 it certainly does not contain 100% of data. I have found a birth in 1877 which is unrecorded. This might be because the birth was illigitimate, maybe to an elder daughter in the family and her father didn't want to "name and shame" ! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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