Genealogy Chat

Am looking for reasons why no father is mentioned on a birth cert.

Briefly my gg grandfather Orlando Cuthbert b 1863 to Elizabeth Cuthbert but there is no mention of father on birth cert.

In 1861 census the family is Benjamin - father, Elizabeth mother and Benjamin son, Sidney son and Theresa daughter.

By 1871 census Elizabeth is a widower and living with Ben (son) Sidney, Theresa, Orlando, Ann born c 1866 and Elizabeth born c 1868.

I have found a death entry on BMD for a Benjamin in 1861 although am not sure that this is correct person but the area is possibly correct (Easington)

I am wondering if Elizabeth's last 3 children are not the children of Ben ? Is there any way to find out for definite ? I haven't got the certs for Ann & Elizabeth to see if there is also a blank in father's column for them this may help ??

Any suggestions on where to look for the father if my supposition is correct ?

Ben may not have died in 1861 and they may be his children but I wonder why he's not mentioned if this is so ?

I'm fairly new to all this so any advice would be gratefully received.

All the above takes place Seaham and Heworth in N East England

Many thanks

Usual reason is baby is illegitimate, but if she was married, perhaps baby isn't husband's. Baptism records might give you more info if the vicar wrote it in.

I can't see them in 1871........what is the ref?

Reg

1861 for ref only.........

Name: Benjamin Cuthbert
Age: 42
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1819
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Elizabeth
Gender: Male
Where born: Rye, Sussex, England

Civil Parish: Dawdon
Town: Seaham Harbour
County/Island: Durham
Country: England


Registration district: Easington
Sub-registration district: Easington
ED, institution, or vessel: 2
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 317
Household Members: Name Age
Benjamin Cuthbert 42
Benjamin H Cuthbert 7 b. Seaham. Co. Durham
Elizabeth Cuthbert 30 b. Ireland
Sidney Cuthbert 4
Thresa Jane Cuthbert 1

Reg

There are very few Benjamin Cuthberts so that death must be the right one.

Rose

Are you sure they are married? What was Elizabeth's maiden name. This should be listed as Elizabeth Cuthbert, formerly ...........

BW

Jane

The 1861 death certainly looks likely to be Elizabeth's husband.......for certainty, you would need to purchase the certificate.

The chances of finding out who fathered the later children are slim...........

Reg

Thanks didn't think of baptism I assume that I would need to visit church in NE ?

Reggie it took me ages to find Orlando in 1871 ( I no longer have access to Ancestry) but he's transcribed as Claude ..

1871 England Census
about Claude Cuthbert
Name: Claude Cuthbert
Age: 8
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1863
Relation: Son
Parent's Name: Elizabeth
Gender: Male
Where born: Seaham Harbor, Durham, England
Civil Parish: Heworth
Ecclesiastical parish: Heworth
Town: Heworth Lane
County/Island: Durham
Country: England
Registration district: Gateshead
Sub-registration district: Heworth
ED, institution, or vessel: 7
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 245
Household Members: Name Age
Ann Cuthbert 5
Benjaman Cuthbert 17
Claude Cuthbert 8
Elizabeth Cuthbert 32
Elizabeth Cuthbert 3
Sedney Cuthbert 14
Teresa Cuthbert 12

Rose

Orlando is an unusual name. Perhaps he was named after his father?

Rose

Thanks everyone I think I'll order death cert anyway.

Jane there was no maiden name mentioned - just the mark of ....... mother.

I may order birth certs for younger girls - but as they all appear as Cuthberts on census I dont think that that will give me any clues to father :(

In 1861 Benjamin born c1819 is a Mariner so he could have died at sea.

I have had a quick look at the marine deaths on

http://www.familyrelatives.com/ (Free to search but you do have to register)

But I can't see an obvious entry.

Chris

Thanks Rose

On Freebmd there is quite a collection of Orlando's all in the right area, one was born and died in 1855 I'm wondering what his connection may have been to the family ..

Orlando b 1863 had 2 sons James 1891 and Orlando 1892, my grandfather was James but I believe Orlando has been carried on as a name. It's v unusual but my mum and aunts have no idea where it came from..

Thanks everyone for your help.

Wendy

Was Elizabeth's maiden name Carter?

Could be the 1855 Orlando was their son also.

Here's Benjamin's birth:

Births Dec 1853
CARTER Benjamin Horace Easington 10a 197

Rose

Rose

I'm not 100% sure but Elizabeth's maiden name may have been Carter, if freebmd entry is correct.

Also Orlando was married in 1890, on the cert his father is Benjamin, but if I'm correct then I think he died in 1861, was it common to still mention a father ? (there was no mention of deceased)

As Orlando was born 1863 with 2 sisters after him , then Elizabeth must have had those children by someone else, don't think I'm going to find out who now tho.

Thanks for your help

It might be worth trying to find his mother in later censuses - she MAY have married again and she MAY have married the father - although it's doubtful you'd find proof of this but there might be a clue in second husband's name ...

Jill

Well thanks to some very kind people I think I know a little more.

The first 3 children were baptised but the 3 after the father's death do not appear to have been baptised, can't find a mention.

Elizabeth may have married again in 1872 but I don't know if Orlando, Ann and Elizabeth are his children, never likely to know I suppose.

Thanks everyone
Wendy