Joseph Steele 1907 - Possibly Illegitimate?

[sirsimon]

Hello,

On the 1911 census and his marriage record in British Columbia 1932, Joseph Steele, born in 1907 in Fletchertown, Cumberland is listed as the son of Joseph Steele and Elizabeth Irving.

However I believe it is possible the child might not be theirs. Its probably correct that he is the child of Joseph and Elizabeth, as multiple records state as such, however I cannot find a birth record for Joseph and there is a considerable gap between the birth of Joseph in 1907 and his older brother Albert in 1893.

There are no children born to an Irving mother between those dates in Wigton, is it therefore possible that either Joseph was a very late birth and perhaps unexpected? Or is he the illegitimate son of one of the older daughters of Joseph and Elizabeth? and that they deliberately made it look like Joseph was the father and not grandfather to hide the shame of such a birth?

I appreciate any thoughts

[josey]

It was not uncommon for parents to take a daughter's illegitimate child as their own.

Does Joseph have a middle name? How old is Elizabeth in 1907 &  how old are Joseph's older sisters? Presumably you haven't found a baptism record? Perhaps he wasn't actually born in Cumberland if a daughter was sent away from home to have him. His father in 1911 could easily state that on the census & also Joseph would believe what he had been told.

ADDED: SOmething doesn't add up - Joseph & Elizabeth had on 1891 census RG12; Piece: 4297; Folio: 11; Page: 16 Thos 7, Martha 4, Elizabeth 4/12, in 1901 RG13; Piece: 4885; Folio: 188; Page: 50 also Albert 7 - so that's 4 children. Look to see how many children they say they have had in 1911  Is there an additional child between Albert & Joseph in 1911? And does daughter Elizabeth - now 20 - have a job?

[sirsimon]

Martha would have been 21 and Elizabeth would have been 17

I don't think Joseph had a middle name, I will try and find out though.

I haven't found a baptism record in Cumberland yet

[*Sandra*]

There is a Cockermouth birth for a Joseph William Steele - mothers maiden surname Jenkinson.
Does Jenkinson rings any bells ?

Joseph William Steele -  Jenkinson   
GRO Reference: 1907  J Quarter in Cockermouth -  Volume 10B  Page 687 

Sandra

[sirsimon]

Joseph William Steele born in 1907 is the son of Joseph Steele and Sarah Jenkinson.

This Joseph is the son of John Steel and Hannah Gair. John is the brother of Walter Steel, whom is the grandfather of Joseph born to Joseph and Elizabeth.

They are related, but its not his birth.

Elizabeth has no recorded occupation in 1911 and is listed as single, she later marries in British Columbia when the family move there.

There is a Harris Steele aged 13, but he is an enigma, there is no recorded birth for him under Irving in Wigton and he is not with the family in 1901. There is a Thomas Irving Steele not present with the family in 1911, he is their eldest child and son.

Elizabeth Irving would be 46 at the time of Joseph's birth, quite a late age to bear children

[josey]

Also this death?? Is this the Steele/Jenkinson child?
Name:   Joseph W Steele
Birth Date:   abt 1908
Date of Registration:   Mar 1921
Age at Death:   13
Registration district:   Cockermouth
Inferred County:   Cumberland
Volume:   10b
Page:   855

[sirsimon]

Yes that's him

[josey]

Were the births of Thos, Martha, Eliz & Albert registered & were they baptised?

Do you have an actual birthdate for Joseph jnr?

[sirsimon]

I have found all of the births of Thomas, Martha, Elizabeth and Albert, but not Harris or Joseph