Salute to registrars who recorded thousands of milestones

ROTHERHAM Council paid tribute to its registrars — a team of 25 staff who have recorded 6,350 life event milestones in the past year.

Last Friday (1) was National Registrars Day and this year marks 185 years of civil registration across England and Wales.

Ashleigh Wilford, superintendent registrar, said: “We are there to help and support people during the happiest and saddest times during their lives, and for many people, they will come into contact with a registrar at least once during their lifetime.

“Most people will know the Register Office as the place where people get married, but the service also produces birth and death certificates, but we also register civil partnerships and conduct citizenship ceremonies.

“The role of a registrar has remained similar to when they were introduced in 1837. “When registrars first started, they would record everything by hand using special ink in the registers.

“Nowadays, we use computers to input information, which makes it a lot easier for us to search for and collate information if we need it, however, we still use the special registrar’s ink to sign all register entries.”

Cllr Saghir Alam, cabinet member for corporate services, said: “It is great that we recognise the hard work that the registration service does to make sure all our residents get the documentation and services they need.

“They are a hugely hardworking and empathic team, and I'd like to thank them for their continued dedication and support.”