Genealogy Chat

I have just received a birth certificate for my ggrandmother Sarah Duce in 1852, Shrops to Mother Jane Duce, we know that Jane was unmarried (as she had other illegitimate children) also the Church register a month later has the baptism as Sarah, illeg do, Mother Jane Duce, singlewoman. So how is it that on the birth certificate it has William Heighway as the father. I thought in those days you had to be married to name the father. Please could someone explain - are there exceptional circumstances?? Chris

No Christine, before 1875 unmarried fathers were often named without their permission. After that they had to consent and attend the registration. Bob

Thanks Robert - it is just strange that on 2 other siblings no father was mentioned. So can you imagine how shocked we were to see a father noted - Sarah had no father on her wedding certificate - obviously she had no connection with him.

I've just received a marriage certificate today. The couple married a month and a day after their daughter was born. I've checked the birth certificate. Mother registered the birth 3 days later. She was unmarried at the birth, but 'respectfully' married at registration. Bet she didn't tell the registrar. Helen

Chris Be glad. My illegitimate great great grandmother has no father on her certificate and I doubt if I will ever find out who he was although his (albeit very diluted) blood runs through my veins! Helen

My Great Grandmother made up a fathers name on my Grandfathers certificate....he used the name on his wedding certificate too...it was all done to save face at the time. Sheila

I have a couple of female ancestors in my tree who have no fathers' names on the birth certs of their children but in the baptism records there are some with the name of the father written in and then struck out, and the words 'single woman' written by mum's name. It's been VERY useful! Annie