Few Opinions Needed

[Clarkey500]

Hi,

I was wondering if you could help me make a decision.

I have a ‘Robert William Shire’, born 1866 in Pitminster, Somerset.
 
Looking on the Ancestry website other people have him born as an illegitimate child of Elizabeth Shire before she married Francis Finnemore.

Looking on FreeReg, the only one that fits in to my Robert was baptised 25 October 1866, with a father called Daniel. There is another Shire and that is Edwin baptised 11 October 1863, with the same parents.

There is a marriage of a Dan Shire to an Elizabeth Lee in 1862. As well as a death for a Daniel Shire in 1866. Which would lead to Daniel not being on any Census living with Elizabeth.

The 2 sons are living with Francis Finnemore/Finnamore and his wife Elizabeth, which I expect is their mother in the 1871 census that remarried.

In the 1881 Census, Edwin is with the Army and Robert is living with his step-dad and mother, who had more children with Francis Finnemore.

In the 1891 Census, it seems that Francis died, leaving Elizabeth with their sons and Robert, which is said to be the son of Elizabeth.

So I would like to know your opinion of this. 

My opinion is that Daniel is the father, leaving the two sons after he died. Elizabeth then re-married to Francis Finnemore and had more children.

[Geoff]

Hi Clarkey,

It sounds logical to me but that doesn't mean it's right.
First off, I'd be ordering Daniel's death records as they just might name his grieving family.
Also check for a will or probate record. There is also a chance that the two boys married at some time and if they did he might possibly be named as their father.

Cheers
Geoff

[andycand]

Hi

I would get a copy of the marriage certificate for Francis Finnemore and Elizabeth Shire, Dec Qtr 1868 Taunton Reg District, vol 5c Page 604 This should indicate whether Elizabeth was previously married.

There is a birth of a Robert Shire (no middle name shown) Dec Qtr 1866 Taunton Reg District Vol 5c Page 357 that fits with your Roberts birth (Pitminster was in the Taunton Registration District)


Andy

[KGarrad]

First off, I'd be ordering Daniel's death records as they just might name his grieving family.
Also check for a will or probate record. There is also a chance that the two boys married at some time and if they did he might possibly be named as their father.

Geoff, death certificates in England & Wales don't mention family! Unless the informant was a family member.

I would check whether the 2 boys married.
Then either the birth certificates or the marriage certificates would confirm their father's name.