Alexander Batt Southwark

[GAYNORI]

Hi thre everyone

I know most of you love a good challenge..it's in our blood!! Here's one that's got my mystified and would appreciate any thoughts you might have on it.

I am looking to trace Alexander James Batt's family, his mother's family at least. Here is the info I have from the most messiest certificate I have ever seen!

His birth certificate states he was born 22/11/1917
1. Name: Alexander James
2. Sex: Girl Crossed out and Boy written instead
3. Name & Surname of Father: Alexander James Batt - This has been totally crossed out
4. Name & Maiden Surname of Mother: Caroline Batt formerly Smith General Servant  - Formerly Smith has been totally crossed out
5. Informant - Caroline Batt Mother of 32A Rodney Road New Kent Rd

Birth Registered 2 Jan 1918 in sub district of Newington Southwark.
What is puzzling me is why Registrar has crossed out formerly Smith. Here are my thoughts and I would be pleased if anyone else can add to this.

Caroline had the child but it wasn't her husband's so she registered it under her single name?
Caroline registered the child in her husband's name but Smith was a former married name and the Registrar crossed that out but never entered her single name?
Same as above but it was her singe name of Smith and she had been married before Batt? but Registrar never entered the other names?

I was going to check out Electoral Registers but they don't exist for this period due to the war.

I have identified 2 or 3 Caroline Batts who were living in Southwark in 1901 but can't narrow it down to any particular one.
Alexander always said he was an orphan to his family so was he fostered/adopted late?
If anyone can shed light on this or maybe had an Alexander Batt in their family pls get in touch

Thanks Gaynor

[carol8353]

In 1920 at 32A Rodney road there is (amongst others)...

James Batt and Frances Augusta Batt.

[GAYNORI]

Wow that was quick!

I wonder if they are her parents? I am going to look at the census' to see if there is a Caroline living with them earlier.

Many thanks Gaynor

[carol8353]

They are there in 1925 too.

[jan57]

 Well there  IS a Batt/ Smith marriage  .......... maybe   they  split  up   and Caroline reverted back to  her maiden  name ?
 
Marriages Dec 1911   

Batt  Caroline    Southwark  1d 188   
Batts  Caroline     Southwark  1d 188   


SMITH  Alfred P     Southwark  1d 188   

[jan57]

England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973

Name:
Caroline Batt

Gender:
Female

Marital Status:
Single

Age:
24

Birth Date:
1887

Marriage Date:
25 Dec 1911

Marriage Place:
Southwark, Surrey, England

Father:
  John Batt   

Spouse:
  Alfred Patrick Smith   

 Can't see  them on  the LMA records ,   unfortunately

[carol8353]

I wonder if this is a child of that marriage?

Births Jun 1914

SMITH    Alfred   mmn BATT    Lambeth    1d   485

[jan57]

Hmm............ That Caroline  Smith nee Batt  dies in 1936,  and  Probate   details  show  that  she  is wife to  Alfred Smith  and leaves  monies to  said  Alfred Smith ............  wonder  if  Caroline  had a fling   when Alfred was away  during the war ,  and Alexander  is the result ?

[GAYNORI]

Hi
Thanks everyone very helpful. I thought she might have had a fling too
Seems possible considering it was war time, maybe she didn't tell anybody and had him fostered or adopted. Isn't it sad when that happens Alexander had no idea who his parents were he just said he was an orphan but unfortunately no idea where this was or to whom.

I think that the marriage between Caroline & Alfred Patrick may be right. As Carol8353 pointed out there was a James & Frances Augustus at 72A Rodney Road in 1920 and that is same address that Caroline gives as the place where the birth occurred. I found James & Frances Augustus marriage and they were both widower & widow. I also found them in the 1901 census but can't find them with Caroline so I don't think Frances is Caroline's mother. I am going to try and find James & his first wife t see if I can find Caroline