Hello,
I'm back to square one or my GG Grandfather was never born. I bought birth certificate of Howard T Nelmes (son of John)and that's how I learned of not only mothers maiden name but also fathers date and place of birth. I obtained John's marriage certificate which states that his fathers name is Richard.
I just spent money on a marriage record on Richard which turns out to be the wrong one. Now I can't seem to order the birth record for John. I figured since John was born in Dec that he might not be registered until the next qtr. Sure enough there's a John Nelmes in the district of Westbury Vol 11 Pg 496 but no fathers name to assure me that I'm not buying yet another wrong document. What can I do?
Am I a pest?
Gratefully Yours
Bonita

Hello Bonnie,

The information you give suggests that this entry from the 1851 Census is your family:

2444 0359 040 Worrall Hill NELMS Richard HD M 32 Coalminer GLS West Dean
2444 0359 040 Worrall Hill NELMS Eliza WI M 25 - GLS West Dean
2444 0359 040 Worrall Hill NELMS Emily DA - 10 - GLS West Dean
2444 0359 040 Worrall Hill NELMS John SO - 5 - GLS West Dean

If so then the John NELMS born within Westbury on Severn Registration District is NOT your man. Worrall Hill which is near Lydbrook was/is in Monmouth Registration District.
I would also mention that Registration was not compulsory at that time and many did not register births so as to save money. You would therefore be better served by searching Parish Registers. Lydbrook Parish Church did not open until 1851 so look for Drybook (Forest Church), Christchurch and possibly English Bicknor. But first I would suggest you obtain his parents marriage certificate as it is possible the children were baptised in the same church.
Richard NELMS married Eliza BALDWYN in December Quarter 1841 Monmouth Registration District Volume 26 Page 85

Good luck
Mike

Hello Mike,
Thanks for your quick reply. I received the marriage certificate Dec 1841 Richard Nelms and Elizabeth Baldwyn but it's not the ones I hoped for. This Elizabeth was "of age". The groom was also "of age" no other info on the grooms parents. My Elizabeth would have been maybe 15 yrs old b abt 1826.
I have all the census reports back to 1851 on John Nelm(e)s. The most interesting one was in 1861 when he was 15, his Father Richard widower and Grandmother Mary b 1797 also a widow were all living in East Dean.
I do have John's marriage (24 Nov 1867) certificate but Mary Ann Evans and he married at the register office in Westbury so I have no church parish to look into.
How does one search Church records in the UK from here in the USA? Are there church records online?
Any suggestions?
Kindest Regards
Bonita