RootsChat.Com

Hello all

In the 1920's was it possible to give an illegitimate child a surname other than the mother's if the father was not named?

An example: John Smith is living with, but not married to, Jane Jones, who has been (or still is) married to Mr Jones. John Smith and Jane Jones have a daughter, Susan. On the birth certificate the details are: "child's name - Susan Smith: father's name - left blank: mother's name: Jane Jones formerly Taylor". I believe her mother intended Smith to be Susan's surname, but the register entry reads "Susan S. Jones". When Susan married her name on the certificate was Susan Smith Jones and her father's name was given as John Smith Jones - presumably simply to avoid embarrassment as he was only ever John Smith in real life.

My question is, if the father was not named, was it the law at that time that the child took the mother's surname? Or was it just a misunderstanding on the part of the registrar that led to Susan ending up with Smith as a forename rather than a surname?

Hope someone can enlighten me!

Hello all

In 1861 my great grandfather enlisted in the regular army while already in the Militia; in his army records is a certificate releasing him from service to the Militia while he continued to be a soldier. The certificate goes on to say that "he has been placed under a stoppage of 1d a day for 18 months from his pay in such service under the provisions of....." and then there's what's presumably a reference to an army regulation, which I can't read properly.

I am assuming the stoppage of pay was as a punishment for enlisting when he was in the Militia, which was not allowed - it would have paid back the £2 bounty he received plus a bit more. But I would love to know exactly what the quoted regulation was. Anyone any idea? I hope I manage to post the relevant picture!

Many thanks for looking!

Jane

I've just read an article in today's Sunday Times about next Thursday's programme featuring Alastair McGowan. I wish I hadn't, as it's given away what must be most of the programme's findings, including the "surprise" ending! Why is the BBC giving this info to papers without some sort of embargo? It's certainly spoiled next week's programme for me.

Jane

I've just come across this name while browsing through the births index:

John Conrad A. AE. A. A. C. D. C. A. F. Barr (Mar q. 1901, Paddington 1a 76)

Eleven forenames in all - a football team, perhaps?!

What are the most unwieldy names other rootschatters have come across?

Hello all

One of my family connections has the unusual first name of Neighbour. I have no idea of the origins of this name (biblical, perhaps?) but I have noticed almost all "Neighbours" in the censuses come from Gloucestershire, particularly the Bishop's Cleeve area. Intriguing!  Can anyone explain it?

Jane