Birth certificates are one of the key building blocks for family historians. If you are researching an individual who was born in England or Wales after the start of civil registration on 1 July 1837, then these records can prove invaluable. As well as providing their full name, place and date of birth, they will help take you back to the next generation, revealing the father's name and occupation in addition to, importantly, the mother's maiden name.
However, finding and ordering birth certificates can present you with a number of challenges.
Technically speaking,
