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Were all births registered?

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Irene

Irene Report 19 Mar 2005 18:51

My grandfather's birth was never registered, I thought perhaps his parents could not afford to. Does anyone know if it cost anything in 1880 to register a birth???? Irene

Sue C

Sue C Report 19 Mar 2005 18:50

Janet, Thank you for your reply. I will try Gwyneth's suggestion first and if I get nowhere with that, will do as you have suggested and try a few more years on 1837. Sue

Sue C

Sue C Report 19 Mar 2005 18:44

Gwyneth Yes, I have found her on 1901, Sarah Hearn aged 20 born Southwark living in Clerkenwell. In 1891 aged 9 living and born in Clerkenwell...so birthplace unclear. Thanks for the suggestion of looking under her mother's maiden name....will give that a go. Maybe this will also explain why I can't find her parents in 1881. Sue

Janet 693215

Janet 693215 Report 19 Mar 2005 17:42

Broaden the search for her birth. My gran said she was 25 when she got married, she lied as she was actually 28. It could work the other way too especially if the husband was much older than her.

Gwyn in Kent

Gwyn in Kent Report 19 Mar 2005 17:33

Can you find her in 1901 to know her birthplace? Does her age match up with that at marriage? Was she perhaps registered under her mother's maiden surname if her parents possibly weren't married?

Sue C

Sue C Report 19 Mar 2005 15:47

Thank you Dianne, I have a feeling that great aunt's parents might have come under the 'couldn't be bothered' category. I have found births for both of them but I don't think they could 'be bothered' to get married either! Another thing I've searched for unsuccessfully. Many thanks, Sue

Dianne

Dianne Report 19 Mar 2005 15:34

Hi Susan Yes, all births, deaths and marriages were supposed to be registered legally. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that they were. Whether it was through a 'couldn't be bothered to do it' attitude or for personal reasons some people would not register births. (marriages and deaths should be registered because the authorities are involved in these i.e. vicar, undertaker etc). I know that the births of my grandad in 1902 and his sister in 1904 were never registered. Neither of them ever possessed a birth certificate. However, I have no idea as to the reason my great grandparents didn't do it.

Sue C

Sue C Report 19 Mar 2005 15:24

I have my great aunt's marriage certificate 1902 aged 20 so assume she was born around 1882. Could not find a birth for her on Ancestry so have searched 1837 from 1880 - 1884 hoping to find her. Still no luck. Could it be possible that her parents didn't bother to register her, or could there be some other reason why she is not showing up? Any suggestions will be most welcome. Sue