RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Sussex => Topic started by: chris.corrall on Friday 25 February 05 18:48 GMT (UK)
-
Hi
I was under the impression that illegitimate births did not name the father on the birth cert.
However I have a birth cert for William Fuller WEST born Dec 1837 at Brighton Place Cottages, which names his father as William FULLER & mother as Harriet WEST - no maiden name given.
The later marriage cert states that William was illegitimate.
I am having problems finding any info on the father named William FULLER (other than he was a butcher)
Any suggestions gratefully received
Thanks
Chris
-
Hi Chris, it certainly wasn't the norm so you could say that you just struck lucky perhaps ;D
Where was Brighton Place Cottages?
Have you searched the 1841 census for the area in which William was born to see if Mr FULLER, the butcher, is around anywhere?
They didn't go on to marry then? Did he marry somebody else either before or after young William's birth?
Casalguidi
-
I would second all that Cas said but would add that for the father to be named on the birth cert that he was present at the registration. For an unmarried person then as is now for a father to be named he as to specifically state he is the father of the child. From that I would suggest that they may have been living together but were unmarried. It is then possible that he died or moved on at a later period.
The term iligitimate means that the mother was unmarried at the time of birth and not that the father was not known.
Rob
-
Thanks Rob & Cas
Your replies have been helpful. I did have some help from another lister re the 1841 census but couldn't find William Fuller the butcher.
As he say he may have moved or died.
I will concentrate on Harriet to see if I can find her later.
Cheers
Chris
-
Perhaps he left the country, might pay to look at shipping records from that time on. Joined the army or navy.
Sometimes males intend to send for their partner but either get involved with someone else or dont find a life that leads up to the expectations that they had :D.
-
I would second all that Cas said but would add that for the father to be named on the birth cert that he was present at the registration. For an unmarried person then as is now for a father to be named he as to specifically state he is the father of the child. From that I would suggest that they may have been living together but were unmarried. It is then possible that he died or moved on at a later period.
The term iligitimate means that the mother was unmarried at the time of birth and not that the father was not known.
Rob
That only applies from 1875!
Before that time a person registering a birth could mention any name as the father of the child - no questions asked!
The Births and Deaths Act 1874 ensured that the putative father had to be present at the Registration.
-
This maybe Harriet, and putting William down as nephew , as she's single
1851 census Marine Parade Brighton
Harriet West 38 head Unmarried , Lodging House Keeper born Goring Sussex
Willm West 14 nephew , servant born Brighton
-
Possibly a name pulled out of thin air rather than admit who the true father was or even admit she did not know who the father was.
Cheers
Guy
-
Bit like the assumption that if the baby's mum was a married woman that it was her husband who was the father of the child.... Particularly interesting for colonials in the late 1830s .... if the husband was part of a garrison force in the penal colonies and his wife was back in Britain and they had been separated by those circumstances for say three or four years, and suddenly she has a new born baby ....
Cheers, JM
-
From the past and from experience with friends, relatives and others the mother often feels it is nobodies business who the father is even when a son or daughter asks their mother it is not uncommon to be told it is none of their business.
So imagine how they would react to putting it down on paper.
Perhaps in some cases it is loyalty,not wanting to get someone into trouble or have to pay maintenance, sometimes the father never even knows.
Its all a bit strange really. :(
-
Just to note , topic from 10 years ago , OP has not been on for many years.
ev
-
Email notifications are still working, wonder if Chris is still following this line of research...
Sarah :)
-
Perhaps Chris has discovered an answer or has moved on. :D