Birth Certificates give the date of birth, name & sex of child, name & surname of father (if named) mother's name & maiden surname, profession of father, name and description of residence of informant (usually parent) and date registered. (details from my grandmother's certificate 1894). Have you tried the IGI for christenings/births - if you can find a christening date for the name you are looking for (with parents who match your ancestor's) that is a good place to start.

Modern Death certificates show date and place of death, name & surname, sex, maiden surname (if female) date & place of birth, occupation & address, cause of death, name & surname of informant and qualification (i.e wife, husband, son, daughter, etc.) informant's address.

My father-in-law was married twice and had two children by his first wife, who died in 1935, I was going to buy her death certificate so that I could record her maiden name in my family history records but, when I went to the registrars to purchase the certificate and explained why I wanted it I was told that the maiden name was not on the certificate so perhaps it wasn't necessary until later - I don't know.

Regards

Carol.