Genealogy Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Boards

Quick Search

Single word search

Tools

Findmypast DNA Banner

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

Adding a father to your tree

Login to Add Reply Watch This
ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Gordon

Gordon Report 22 Jun 2006 12:37

If a child is illegitimate but the father's name is known, can you add him to your tree without him registering as the husband? Thanks Gordon

Mandy in Wiltshire

Mandy in Wiltshire Report 22 Jun 2006 12:53

Hi Gordon I would say it depends how accurate and precise you want to be with your tree. My birth father is not named on my tree mainly because he could still be alive and I don't have his permission. If I knew for sure he were dead, then I could add him ....but although my birth mother named him in my adoption records, there is an element of doubt as to whether he was giving people his correct name. And then of course, I'm also protecting some other living people by not having him down there. If you're happy with the information you have being accurate, and the man is no longer living, then go ahead and add him to your tree. Mandy :)

Kate

Kate Report 22 Jun 2006 13:03

Well, the GR tree structure, in common with many family tree programs, doesn't really distinguish between married couples and unmarried couples, except that there will not be the details of an actual marriage. You can put in the 'comments' section that they were not married to each other though. Kate.

Gordon

Gordon Report 22 Jun 2006 13:10

Thanks Mandy I haven't got any living people on my tree (other than the wife who gave permission). He died over 20 years ago and the details have been verified by my aunts and uncles ( mom died 2 days before my 1st birthday) and also his family. I am in touch with a half sister which is fantastic and also cousins from his side. The problem is I do not want to add him and find he is down as my mom's husband. Gordon

Gordon

Gordon Report 22 Jun 2006 13:11

Thanks Kate

Mandy in Wiltshire

Mandy in Wiltshire Report 22 Jun 2006 13:21

Hi Gordon Sorry for getting hold of the wrong end of the stick! Mine is down as 'Father Unknown' and I've just checked on my tree; he is listed as 'partner/spouse' to my birth mother; that's the wording they use rather than 'husband'. The marriage details boxes are blank, whereas I have the details filled in for her husband. You could always put something extra in the notes box as well. Lovely to hear that you have contact with a half-sister by the way; I'm in touch with my half-brother and it's brilliant! Mandy :)

Gordon

Gordon Report 22 Jun 2006 13:28

The thing is Mandy until 2 years ago I didn't know I had family at all. Then I discovered I had family on my Moms side ( found by Margaret Drummond whose name was given to me by She Wray) I can never thank them both enough. Then last year my father's family verified that I was indeed his son. God I'm so lucky. Thank you for your help the people on this site are wonderful. Gordon