How do I trace my Mother's birth certificate?

Question

I am attempting to trace my family tree and have fallen at the first! I cannot trace my Mother's birth certificate on any of the web-databases! I know she was born out of wedlock, so that makes things more complicated. Any suggestions anyone?

Answer 1

UK answer.

The only information you are likely to find on line re: your mums birth certificate are the GRO numbers, these are the volume and page numbers and are unique to the GRO. Once you find these numbers you can either order the certificate on line or you can phone it through but a phone order is about £2 more.

http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/

Her birth would have been registered so I don't think it matters about whether her parents were married or not.

If you would like to contact me through my profile I would be very happy to find the information for you, or you can edit your question and include your mums name and place of birth and a rough guess as to what year she was born if you don't know for sure.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I can relate to your question as I don't have my mom's either but the advice given above is all good ('cept 1) but the devil is in the details. Where was she born - what country, what state? That makes a huge difference. If USA & she is dead, you are entitled to get a copy from the Social Security Agency to see what she used to get benefits. I'm going to do it - just keep forgetting to write the letter. If it's over 50 years the records are archived in most states. You can get the info but either have to go to the Vital Records Dept in the County or State office to look it up.

Not much for a copy - $5 - 10 BUT if you don't have the exact data which means name, place of death, last address (if possible) you have to pay more for the search. NJ is very bad. We identified my grandmother in the records of where she died, etc & even though her name was transcribed incorrectly from the original handwritten document - I knew it was her because I could read the handwriting & it named the funeral home, etc. But the original ledger said "BURIAL DATE" & we sent her correct name & the date from the ledger & received a certified copy from Vital Statistics in NJ that certified they didn't have any record for her - all for $50.00! She could have died 1 to 3 days prior to the burial date ? It takes time, effort & determination to get old records. My mom was born at home & we can't find her birth certificate BUT she had to prove her birth from something in order to collect her SS benefits which she did - I just don't know what yet.



Good Luck in your search. Do you have any relatives that can give you some info?? It would help. A lot of people that were born in homes used Baptismal / church or School records to get their SS.

Answer 3

Depends were you go and what colour you are no seriously yes it is needed to prove you are not taking the child out of the country without permission and the passport is the most respected form of I D in England well used to be but now you can buy one for a few hundred quid the pass port office is run by a bunch of paper waving officials out of university with more qualifications than you can imagine but no real knowledge no life experiences and that is why gaining a passport is so easy unless you are a patriot of England and it is the hardest thing to get an English passport ha ha yes it is a joke most government departments are run by tunnel visioned dim wits with no real savvy Dave

Answer 4

You don't say approx when, nor the Country of Birth.

Can you edit your question with a few more details. Approx year, Town/City/County/State?

I assume that your mother has died or you would be able to ask her.

Have you tried asking "It's Just Me" Top Contributor?

I shall star your question in the hope that someone else may pick it up.

Answer 5

Have you tried going to the local registry office in the town she was born ? I'm not sure if they can give you the information but it's worth a try.

Answer 6

well it depends on which country she was born in, but if in the uk then look at www.freembmd.org and fill the details that you know in it, i.e. the date of her birth and place if you know that. it will show up all people with that name for that year. fingers crossed she wasnt born a smith !!!

Answer 7

Call city hall where she was born.

Answer 8

you first need to buy some tracing paper,place it carefully over original certificate then copy the words with a pencil.