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How can I prove it?

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Madmeg

Madmeg Report 14 Aug 2009 00:03

Hi Meg,

We are not ignoring you, probably thinking it all over first. Well, you can never prove who your father was, even if he lived with your mother and was named on your birth certificate. Neither of these certificates will prove anything, but that is not to say they are wrong either. If you can find your rellies living together, then I would count that as being family if there is nothing to disprove it. What more can we do? DNA testing was not around then, and we just have to do our best with what we have available. A certificate back in 1850 might make us feel good that we have got it right, but it is not proof. There can be no proof.

Love

Margaret

Lindsey*

Lindsey* Report 13 Aug 2009 23:54

I read on here there is a Peter Higginbottom Workhouse site, it lists Great Yarmouth and how to contact Norfolk records office, see if they can help ?

Researching:
For better results please give all the details ,name, date place as you can {pictures by me }

Jill 2011 (aka Warrior Princess of Cilla!)

Jill 2011 (aka Warrior Princess of Cilla!) Report 13 Aug 2009 23:54

I've noticed that some of the illegitimate ones do give a father's name on the marriage cert. This is usually to save face.

On one occasion I know that one of mine gave her "real" father's name, but this was backed up by (a) her middle name given at birth (b) locality (c) family stories that had come down the years and (d) someone doing a One Name Study on his name who agreed with the theory ... Even then I still had a few doubts!

Bastardy bonds may be worth searching for but you may not always find these ...

Jill

Researching:
London: Faber, Haysey, Spicer ...

Megs Dicky Island

Megs Dicky Island Report 13 Aug 2009 23:35

I have my g grandfathers birth certificate Henry George Cook born in Great Yarmouth Workhouse 1884.

His mother Martha Elizabeth Cook (not married).

There is a Martha Cook born 1851 Yarmouth and on 1851c (which you kind people found for me) age 1 month in workhouse with mother possibly Elizabeth.

As I cannot confirm she ever married as my g grandfather told everyone he was an orphan, even though he named a Richard on marriage certificate, do I just assume thats shes his mother and order the certificate.

Also there is an Elizabeth Cook who died in 1852 in Yarmouth and do I just assume thats Martha's mother. Even if the death certificate said died in workhouse, it still doesn't actually prove it.

Any advise please.

Meg