International Certificates

In this section, I shall be attempting to show you certificates from around the world. What sort of information can be gained from them and how they are helpful.

This is an excellent link to aid with what kind of information can be found on Austrailian certificates AUS BDM certificates

Australia ~ Death

The first Australian state to introduce civil registration was Tasmania in 1838. The others followed at different times in later years.

Shown below is an example of what information can be found on New South Wales death certificate from the year 1863. It should also be noted the place of death was 'at sea' whilst en route to Australia.

As you notice in the bottom half of the certificate below, the extra information could be of great value when trying to determine whether this is a potential family member.

For more information on Australian BMD certificates go to What you can expect to see on a Australian BMD certificate

For general information on Australia with links to various websites which may assist you with your research go to Australia

Ireland ~ Marriage

Here is a certificate which a member has obtained recording a marriage which took place in Ireland in 1854 . Civil registration for Protestant marriages began on 1st April 1845, and for all births, marriages and deaths on 1st January 1864.

You will notice that there is a space for the bride and groom's mother's names. This is a standard form and this information wasn't actually recorded until 1956.

Information on obtaining an Irish BMD certificate can be found at The General Register Office of Ireland

For general information on Ireland with links to various websites which may help you with your research go to Ireland

Malta ~ Birth

Civil registration in Malta was introduced in 1863.

The interesting difference to an England and Wales birth certificate is that the parent's ages and places of birth are recorded, which is particularly useful to ensure that you have obtained the correct certificate.

For more information on obtaining BMD certificates from Malta go to Malta Register Office

For general information on Malta and links to various websites which may assist you with your research go to Malta

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Click to enlarge

Malta ~ Marriage

Unlike in England and Wales, this example of a marriage certificate from Malta records both parents of the bride and groom. Again this can help to ensure that you have ordered the correct certificate, as well as providing more information on the family.

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Ordering Maltese Certificates

Birth

Maltese certificates can be ordered online.

A new simple way to acquire certificates is from the public registry online service.

There isn't an index like there is for England and Wales and the Public Registry in Malta generally searches for 3 years either side of the date you supply.

The cost is approx LM 4.00 for an A3 certificate which is just under £7.00 and it has an amazing amount of information.

Luckily for me, I had spotted Sarah Needham on the 1901 census and knew she was born in approximately 1882. I knew that her father was called James and family legend said that her mother was called Sarah something beginning with X. These were the details that I used on the online form.The certificate that was returned to me shows the date, time and place of birth. A Maltese cert gives both parents' details including age, place of birth, occupation and residence. It gives the grandfathers' names including whether they were still alive.

Marriage

A marriage certificate costs LM 4.00 and supplies the names, ages, birth place, occupation and residence of the bride and groom.

It gives details of both the bride's and groom’s parents including whether or not they are living and their occupation. It also gives details of witnesses including their occupation, age, residence, place of birth and the names of their fathers.

It also states where the marriage took place, the date and the name of the priest. From the birth certificate I found out that Sarah’s mother was Serafina Scicluna (Scic can also be written as Xic – tying into family legend). So for the marriage certificate I approximated a year of 1881 and gave the parties' names as Serafina Scicluna and James Needham. I had a bit of a surprise when I got the marriage certificate as the groom was listed as Giacomo – it is Italian for James!

• Malta has a handful of genealogists that will do the research work for you but unless you go to Malta there isn’t a way to verify the information they have given you.

A tip if you go, is to give the Parish Priest a donation as it seems to smooth the way; however you may need to visit each parish individually.

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