There are 2 Mary Ann Lane's born in 1871 in Southwark:
One in March registration Lambeth
One in St Olave in December.
I sent off St Olave one some time ago but have never been sure that I've got the correct certificate hence I was hoping that a death certificate would at least give me a clue from her death age whether she was born at the beginning or end of the year.
On the various census' I can find her on, her D/O/B is usually given as 1872, Rotherhithe.
I can't find a D/O/B in the Rotherhithe/Southwark area for 1872
On the certificate I do have (St Olave) the baby was born at the Union Workhouse, St John, Horsleydown, Southwark to a Hannah Lane. No father recorded.
I've not been able to find any records for this date/birth in the workhouse records so I suspect that this Mary Ann was illegitimate and that the relevant documentation for this year is missing.
I've never been able to find an Edward Lane, Lighterman, on any census returns (In London anyway)
My Mary Ann states on both marriage certificates that her father was Edward Lane, Lighterman.
It's obviously very possible that she lied. It's also possible that she was told throughout her life that this man was her father. With her first marriage certificate I assumed it was just easier to make up a father who didn't actually exist. Having obtained her second marriage with the same details I am wondering whether I've got the birth certificate for the wrong woman and my Mary Ann was absolutely correct in her facts. Perhaps Edward Lane, Lighterman did exist but not in Southwark
Perhaps I'm barking up the wrong tree but the death certificate might allow me to confirm or discard the information I already have.
I've never found a convincing candidate for Hannah Lane either but then I have very little to go on.