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Archiver > LONDON > 2003-02 > 1045832980


From: "Tony Mitchell" <>
Subject: Re: [Lon] Re: Time of birth stated on birth certificates
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 13:12:09 -0000
References: <007501c2d93d$48b8d3a0$b4014ccb@oemcomputer> <004501c2d967$2a9baee0$806637d2@w1v5k5> <008601c2d97d$44e20e00$a1ee7ad5@oemcomputer>


Brian said:

> The Birth certificate would have been filled out by a civil servant who
was a 'pen pusher' handling forms all day long ........<

I think you do a great disservice to Registrars by describing them as
pen-pushers. The certificates are purely a by-product of the statutory
duties performed by registrars. For example, it takes more than a pen-pusher
to advise the already distressed relatives of someone who has just died that
he/she cannot proceed with the registration because the nature of the death
dictates that it has to be reported to the Coroner who may wish to carry out
a post mortem on their poor unfortunate relative's body, or even to hold an
inquest.

Unless us family historians are prepared to rely on the good work done by
registrars over the last 166 years, we might as well pack up and take up
something like train spotting! (Sorry - no offence meant to any train
spotters on the list - it's just another hobby for which we could wear the
anoraks we put on when making our trek to the FRC!)

Regards

Tony :-)

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