GRO Records

BowWow · 14-05-2018 4:25pm

Any news on the 1917 Births, 1942 Marriages and 1967 Deaths etc.?

josip · 14-05-2018 5:44pm

BowWow wrote: »

Any news on the 1917 Births, 1942 Marriages and 1967 Deaths etc.?

Are these the only records outstanding now?
I though there were some of the earlier deaths and marriages also awaiting processing?

tabbey · 14-05-2018 5:49pm

josip wrote: »

Are these the only records outstanding now?
I though there were some of the earlier deaths and marriages also awaiting processing?

The Early marriages and deaths have been digitised by the GRO, but IrishGenealogy still declines to put them online.
Furthermore they refuse to give any date for when they will be online, or whether they will be done in phases.

pinkypinky · 14-05-2018 5:50pm

Actually, my understanding is that they are working on the outstanding earlier deaths and marriages first. That was from Tadhg (who runs the site) the last time I talked to him before Christmas.

Do you have further knowledge, Tabbey?

tabbey · 14-05-2018 6:09pm

pinkypinky wrote: »

Actually, my understanding is that they are working on the outstanding earlier deaths and marriages first. That was from Tadhg (who runs the site) the last time I talked to him before Christmas.

Do you have further knowledge, Tabbey?

I was advised in the GRO that all the deaths and marriages back to 1864 (and some earlier non RC marriages) were digitised by the GRO and sent to irishgenealogy for going online to the public.
Presumably IG has some legal or technical reasons for still not making them available.
I emailed them some time ago, they replied in the most vague terms that they would be online some time. When I sought clarification, such as when? and all at once or in batches?, the reply was non-informative, just that we would be informed when they are ready.

As the work was mostly done by the GRO, I can only speculate why these records which are supposed to be freely available, are still restricted to those who purchase a copy from the GRO.

josip · 14-05-2018 6:59pm

Can anyone remember specifically which of the early years are outstanding for deaths and marriages?
I think all the births are there?

Does anyone have an email address for Irish Genealogy?
I want to cc Heather Humphreys and the GRO at the same time (heather.humphreys@oir.ie, gro@groireland.ie)

Perhaps if a few of us here emailed at the same time and made it obvious that we weren't going to let it go, there would be some movement?

Hermy · 14-05-2018 7:09pm

It's not Heather Humphries anymore as far as I know.

Google tells me it's Josepha Madigan in Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht now.

Marriages before 1871 and deaths before 1881 are missing to the best of my knowledge.

Jellybaby1 · 14-05-2018 7:24pm

I often come across that word.....'missing'. How and why do files go missing in this country? It tends to happen quite a bit. :mad: Other than the burning of records in 1922.

pinkypinky · 14-05-2018 7:43pm

Josepha Madigan is the current minister.

No one is paying attention to genealogy stuff right now. While I'm all for reminding ministers of obligations, an email like this will fall through the cracks of the referendum correspondence.

I've emailed my contact to ask - he doesn't always reply though!

Hermy · 14-05-2018 8:18pm

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

I often come across that word.....'missing'. How and why do files go missing in this country? It tends to happen quite a bit. :mad: Other than the burning of records in 1922.

Perhaps a poor choice of word on my part as they weren't there to begin with.:)

tabbey · 14-05-2018 9:55pm

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

I often come across that word.....'missing'. How and why do files go missing in this country? It tends to happen quite a bit. :mad: Other than the burning of records in 1922.

They are not missing, we can buy the record copy if we wish.

They just have not been put free online yet.

Hermy · 14-05-2018 10:00pm

Not missing but absent from the website nonetheless.

Jellybaby1 · 14-05-2018 11:23pm

Sorry guys, missing records just makes me grumpy. Apologies.

Hermy · 15-05-2018 8:45am

I share your frustration - wish they'd just get on with the job and finish it in good time.

josip · 15-05-2018 10:56am

I've sent the email politely expressing my frustration this morning to

josepha.madigan@oireachtas.ie
gro@groireland.ie
feedback@irishgenealogy.ie

and cc-ed my local TDs.
I don't expect much to come of it if mine is the only email they receive.

A friend who works as a TD's helper says that most of the communication they receive concern individual issues and receive a boiler plate reply.
If they receive more than 3 comms about the same issue they take note.
More than 10 comms about an issue will usually result in meaningful inquiries being made, since more votes may be influenced as a result.

pinkypinky · 15-05-2018 11:32am

I had a response from my contact this morning but it didn't say anything useful beyond some time in 2018 and they will promote through the website when they do.

josip · 15-05-2018 12:07pm

pinkypinky wrote: »

I had a response from my contact this morning but it didn't say anything useful beyond some time in 2018 and they will promote through the website when they do.

The mail I replied to/cc-ed this morning was from May 2017 and they said 'soon'.

Can some other posters also email the Dept/GRO?
Even if only 3 or 4 send, it's more than just one or 2 of us.
I doubt whether the Dept/GRO follow this thread.
Tx.

josip · 31-05-2018 11:29am

I have received an explanation from GRO about why it's taking a long time.
It provides more details than the boiler plate responses I've received up to now and I appreciate the extra time it took to send.

To try and explain why it takes this amount of time is a little more difficult. Essentially the GRO have been operating from two forms of database. One has most of the data now in the format that you see online. The remainder are still linked to the old Index information without the image linking directly. That is why the information you see shows the Returns Year; Returns Quarter; Returns Volume No & Returns Page No. You will also note that each Marriage entry only shows one party and does not include the date of marriage. Since 2016 work on the Deaths Indexes has moved the corrected format from 1921 down to 1878 and for Marriages from 1882 to 1870. These updated indexes also have the image of the register entry linked to them. The final body of work does take time but we need to ensure that accuracy is not lost in completing this work and we will ensure that the addition of these remaining records is highlighted on the website in good time.

We trust that visitors to the website will understand this and will of course be delighted when the remaining records are launched in the near future.

Hermy · 31-05-2018 11:40am

Thanks for making the inquiry josip and for posting their response.

It explains the work involved which they then disappointingly use as an excuse for the delay in delivering the completed project.

BowWow · 31-05-2018 2:24pm

Yes, thanks for asking and posting the reply.

However whilst the reply helps with the "older" records it doesn't explain the non-show of the 1917 Births, the 1942 Marriages and the 1967 Deaths. Or am I missing something?

pinkypinky · 31-05-2018 2:46pm

They've always said they're focusing on the older stuff first.

mickmackey1 · 31-05-2018 3:04pm

pinkypinky wrote: »

They've always said they're focusing on the older stuff first.

Except the newer stuff is ready at the flick of a switch, as we know from the few days it was online. Luckily I managed to download dozens of pages

tabbey · 01-06-2018 10:42am

Hermy wrote: »

Thanks for making the inquiry josip and for posting their response.

It explains the work involved which they then disappointingly use as an excuse for the delay in delivering the completed project.

But it does not explain why irishgenealogy.ie have not made available the data which the GRO has already given them.

josip · 01-06-2018 11:05am

tabbey wrote: »

But it does not explain why irishgenealogy.ie have not made available the data which the GRO has already given them.

Which records are you referring to?

tabbey · 01-06-2018 10:25pm

josip wrote: »

Which records are you referring to?

The early marriages and deaths, which have been digitised by the GRO and sent to irishgenealogy.ie for inclusion on the website.

Irishgenealogy has been sitting on them and are very vague as to when we will have them free online.

pinkypinky · 01-06-2018 11:52pm

You have to realise that irishgenealogy is literally run by one guy and it's not his only job. We'll get it when we get it.

Jellybaby1 · 02-06-2018 12:38am

pinkypinky wrote: »

You have to realise that irishgenealogy is literally run by one guy and it's not his only job. We'll get it when we get it.

That's quite impressive. Though there are several people here including me, who might be happy to volunteer to help him out!

pinkypinky · 02-06-2018 9:52am

Oh me too! Sure let's all apply for the civil service, pass the exams, wait for a job opening in the right department, explain our skill set, and they'll probably put us working in marine conservation or the Mexican consular team!

josip · 02-06-2018 10:21pm

tabbey wrote: »

The early marriages and deaths, which have been digitised by the GRO and sent to irishgenealogy.ie for inclusion on the website.

Irishgenealogy has been sitting on them and are very vague as to when we will have them free online.

Tabbey,do you mean all the deaths before 1878 and marriages before 1870 have already been digitized by the GRO and sent to Irish genealogy or just a subset of these?
Is this public knowledge?
If so, I will revert to the GRO.

tabbey · 02-06-2018 10:55pm

josip wrote: »

Tabbey,do you mean all the deaths before 1878 and marriages before 1870 have already been digitized by the GRO and sent to Irish genealogy or just a subset of these?
Is this public knowledge?
If so, I will revert to the GRO.

My understanding is that all marriages and deaths back to 1864, and some of the pre 1864 non RC marriages have been digitised by the GRO and sent to irishgenealogy.ie for going online.

What work if any, has to be done for putting the records online, I have no idea.

kanadams123 · 12-07-2018 3:23pm

Hi, does anyone know roughly how long it takes for the GRO to send emails of photocopy requests?
I have already paid via the secure online link a few days ago and just wondering how long it would take to get them through email?!!

spurious · 12-07-2018 3:29pm

kanadams123 wrote: »

Hi, does anyone know roughly how long it takes for the GRO to send emails of photocopy requests?
I have already paid via the secure online link a few days ago and just wondering how long it would take to get them through email?!!

Some I have had back within three or four days. My last one took a bit longer. I was actually wondering had they received the letter when I got a reply. It took about 2 weeks from me sending it.

JDERIC2017 · 12-07-2018 3:33pm

I ordered a death cert on the 2nd July and only got it today!

kanadams123 · 12-07-2018 3:40pm

Ah i see! Ill have another few days at lest so before i get anything! Thanks!

BowWow · 12-07-2018 3:41pm

Any time I see new posts in this thread, my heart misses a beat...:(

kanadams123 · 12-07-2018 3:43pm

BowWow wrote: »

Any time I see new posts in this thread, my heart misses a beat...:(

Haha..so sorry! Tbh i am the same, everytime i think "oh the 1917 births are available"
I just didnt think my querry was worth a whole thread by itself!
Sorry BowWow

BowWow · 12-07-2018 3:46pm

kanadams123 wrote: »

Haha..so sorry! Tbh i am the same, everytime i think "oh the 1917 births are available"
I just didnt think my querry was worth a whole thread by itself!
Sorry BowWow

Absolutely no problem

VirginiaB · 12-07-2018 4:19pm

Funny you should ask. I recently sent for a GRO record for the first time, pd online. It took 14 days for the photocopy to arrive by email which is fine compared to snail mail. Very smooth process and very clear image of an 1865 death record.

pinkypinky · 12-07-2018 4:47pm

Interested to know what secure link you used online to pay?

I have access to a fax machine so I still fax my orders and ask for them to be emailed.

kanadams123 · 12-07-2018 5:04pm

pinkypinky wrote: »

Interested to know what secure link you used online to pay?

I have access to a fax machine so I still fax my orders and ask for them to be emailed.

I sent the filled out form (which i got from irishgeneology.ie) to the gro payments email address and they sent a secure link to make the 4euro payment.
The instructions are included on the request form which i got from irishgeneology.ie.

The payment was done through the typical WorldPay service which is typicaly used for many online purchases!

As it was my first time getting these records this way, i used my smart card ( three money card) to be safe opposed to debit/credit. I am always carefull with these links and it was legit!

Hermy · 12-07-2018 6:07pm

VirginiaB wrote: »

...It took 14 days for the photocopy to arrive by email which is fine...

You think fourteen days to send an email is okay? :eek::eek:

VirginiaB · 12-07-2018 11:46pm

Yes, I think 14 days was fine, considering the alternative. And considering the man died in 1865--what's two more weeks? Seriously, there is more than just sending an email involved.
I used the same secure pay link as kanadams123, no problems.

Hermy · 13-07-2018 12:40am

VirginiaB wrote: »

Seriously, there is more than just sending an email involved.

Not having a go at you VirginiaB but two weeks to send a pdf by email is ridiculous - it's five minutes work, if even that.

spurious · 13-07-2018 7:38am

Hermy wrote: »

Not having a go at you VirginiaB but two weeks to send a pdf by email is ridiculous - it's five minutes work, if even that.

Do they have pdfs ready to go? I thought it was like in Werburgh Street, where someone went rooted out the big books, photocopied it and then emailed it?
I know it still could take you or me a few minutes, but I'm guessing this is another job has been tacked on to someone's responsibilities.

Diaell · 13-07-2018 8:24am

Hermy wrote: »

Not having a go at you VirginiaB but two weeks to send a pdf by email is ridiculous - it's five minutes work, if even that.

Also they prob have an awful lot of these five minutes jobs to do. Its better than having to pay massive money like in some countries for records. They are trying to get all the older ones digitized so they can be access free online, I'm sure this is where the majority of their time is spent.

Hermy · 13-07-2018 8:45am

spurious wrote: »

Do they have pdfs ready to go? I thought it was like in Werburgh Street, where someone went rooted out the big books, photocopied it and then emailed it?
I know it still could take you or me a few minutes, but I'm guessing this is another job has been tacked on to someone's responsibilities.

A while back I visited a local office looking for a recent cert and I was able to see the computer screen as the lady searched for the record. It turned out the death I was looking for took place in England so it wasn't to be found. But the lady was very methodical about searching the specific area, and then the wider area and finally all of Ireland, explaining to me as she went along what she was doing. I then asked for another cert which she quickly found and printed off straight away.
All told I was dealing with her for about ten minutes.

Now I appreciate head office is probably inundated with requests for certs but it's a simple process, not unlike the one we follow when using the Irish Genealogy website, so I don't think it needs two weeks lead time.

Diaell wrote: »

Also they prob have an awful lot of these five minutes jobs to do. Its better than having to pay massive money like in some countries for records. They are trying to get all the older ones digitized so they can be access free online, I'm sure this is where the majority of their time is spent.

As someone once said to me in a most uncomplimentary manner "I bet they're trying really hard!"

There's no doubt that in the main researching family trees in Ireland is an absolute joy given the level of free [and mostly unfettered] access we have to historical records. But I look at the GRO and the way they do things and I just feel they could do so much better.

josip · 13-07-2018 8:58am

Diaell wrote: »

They are trying to get all the older ones digitized so they can be access free online, I'm sure this is where the majority of their time is spent.

Are you new here Diaell?

They're certainly spending a lot of their time on it, but none of us have any idea why it's taking so long for the remainder.

pinkypinky · 13-07-2018 1:08pm

They have had everything scanned for at least 8 years now. When you order in the GRO in person, they print it off from a pc. It's a very long time since they photocopied from the books and chopped the headers together with your relevant line.

I think we are justified to gripe about the time it takes them to produce a pdf (I would leverage similar complaints to the UK GRO too though) and the time it's taking to get the older records (plus the 2017 release) ready. 14 days to email a pdf is totally unacceptable. If I'm waiting more than a few working days, I ring them, and then it always miraculously appears in my inbox after lunch.

However, since we're getting it all for free, we can't gripe too much.

Hermy · 13-07-2018 1:34pm

pinkypinky wrote: »

However, since we're getting it all for free, we can't gripe too much.

Free in this case means paid for by our taxes.
Money well spent but money nonetheless.

VirginiaB · 13-07-2018 3:53pm

No offense taken, Hermy. The older records aren't free and to us overseas, it's a great service, despite the wait. And yes, I join everyone in wishing other records would come online for instant access. It is frustrating. But when I compare the availability of records from when I started all this, it's a miracle.

GRO Records

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