Genealogy Chat

Would be grateful for peoples views on this one!! Man marries his wife in 1915. From that time on upto 1928 they have a child roughly every 2 years. We haven't got all the birth certificates, one of the first children and Father was named. We ordered the last childs certificate born in 1928 to try and determine his occupation (apparently he died soon after this) and for some reason the fathers details are not given. I find it quite strange and wondered if anyone would have any reasons for this. Regards Sarah

hiya, perhaps the child wasnt his?? mother may have had a fling HTH Julie

No name on birth cert is a strong indication that the child is illegitimate. Generally, a married man would be considered to be the father of any of his wife's children. You might find a baptism which gives more details. nell

Tricky one. Legally, if they were still married at the time the child would be deemed to have been his so he ought to have been named. What did he die of? Maybe cause of death would show that it was obvious that he could not be the father so the mother left info off. Did he definitely die after child was born? Or was birth of child registered after death of 'father' - that happened to one of mine so she did not name him on the certificate! Curious. Jill

Hiya Julie, That was my first thought. Apparently the youngest child is still alive and has memories of her Father (if he was the Father) as we are trying to find details of his accidental death. We know the Mother remarried in 1934 but as far as we are aware, this is on first hubbies death. I mentioned he may not have been Father but have had nothing to substantiate this. Found it odd that you could be married to someone for roughly 13 years and have children with them, she was given his surname but no details. Thanks for reply. Sarah

Hiya, Many thanks for all your replies! We originally narrowed down his death to between 1928 and 1934 - birth of last child and remarriage of wife. A search by GRO has found no death. Were told it was accidental death but after recently speaking to the youngest daughter, she said she had memories of him, he possibly died in Germany in a dredging well. Sounds horrific, seems like he stayed in Marine work after he left the Navy, basically she was told there was nothing much left to return him home which will explain why we can't find his death registered. A huge brick wall!! Maybe she did have an affair! Surely if birth was registered after his death, (I like that one) child would have no memories of him would she? Thanks for all your ideas. Sarah