Genealogy Chat

Okay, This one's a real challenge! I'm looking for a half sister and a half brother. My father Charles PARADINE- while he was married to my mother had two children with a married woman (neighbour) unknown to her husband-pretty heavy! This was Pre-1961. I know he kept in contact with this woman but really that's about all I know. It was in the London area. What I need is a real slueth! And some further information would be a bonus so I'm going to keep on poking around. ANY TIPS?! I guess what I'm hoping is that one of these now adult children is somewhere in the world armed with a tiny bit of information and a huge anount of curiosity like me... wish me luck claire Australia Jeremy Warren (24/06/2006 20:13

Do you have any details at all ?? Names of the children, sexes, the surname of the mother at least ? You're not likely to get anywhere just with the knowledge that he had children, and nothing more, unless the children were registered in his name, which it doesn't sound like.

If you know where your father was living and know the name of the neighbour it should be possible to search the GRO for her children's births at the right time..... but that would depend on knowing a time scale for their births. Electoral lists of the time might help you to track the family or you might find the children at a nearby school on the friendsreunited site. How can you be sure that they weren't the husband's children but your father was told that they were his? Gwyn

Hi Claire, The best way to approach this is to work with solid facts. Are either of your parents still alive, and would this be a subject that either would be prepared to talk about? Your parents could tell you the other woman's name. Without her name, you've got virtually no chance of tracking down your half siblings. It's probable that her children would have been registered under her married name and you would have to know when the affair started so that you can pinpoint a time frame for the births. I wish you all the best in your search, Deb:)

Not an impossible task, but...... If he had 2 children with a married woman, then it's a strong possibility those children were registered as the children of the woman and HER husband.....maybe the husband has always believed they are his. Maybe those children have always believed they are his and don't know any different, so be careful what can of worms you might be opening here. As the others have said, you need to start with the known facts (putting all speculation and heresay aside). Without the neighbour's name, there's very little chance of finding anything . Good luck. Karen

Claire, I think Karen's observation is very wise. As a counsellor, I'm often needing to help people though the impact of discovering unwanted info about their past - finding out you're not who you've been brought up to think you are can be joyous, but can also be devastating. Good luck in your search, but take care! Bx