Genealogy Chat

The marriage certificate of Thomas White (my husband’s grandfather) gives his father’s name as George White. However, Thomas’s birth registration is as Thomas Williamson (the maiden name of George White’s wife). It seems that Fanny Williamson had 2 illegitimate children (Thomas and Marian) before marrying George White in 1868. On the 1871 census, Marian Williamson is listed as stepdaughter in the household of George and Fanny White, and Thomas Williamson is listed in the household of his unmarried aunt Clara Williamson. On the 1881 census, Marian and Thomas are both listed in the household of George and Fanny but now they have the surname of White. My question is – would Thomas White (Williamson) have had to produce his birth certificate when he married in 1899 in Chelsea? Any help will be most appreciated.

in short, no

Elizabeth I have found in my research that some step-children use their step-fathers surname throught their lives but marry in their birth names others I have found just continue to use a step-fathers name throught their lives & never use their birth names again, they dont make it easy for us do they. Georgina.

Legally, then AND now, you can use whatever name you like, as long as it is not for fraudulent purposes. Legally, your name is what you call yourself and others call you. OC

Many thanks for your replies - much appreciated.