RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Rutland => Topic started by: jadzia on Sunday 24 June 12 23:23 BST (UK)
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Hi All,
My ancestor John William Barratt was born illegitimately, but on his birth certificate in 1843 his father was named as John King a farmer’s servant. My ancestor was born in the Oakham Workhouse but his mother Ann Barrett (aged 20 when she had son) was from Exton Rutland. Every other record for his mother shows her as being in Exton so maybe she just went to Oakham for the birth (I don't know). Two years after she had John Ann married someone else....not John King.
Did babies born in the workhouse get baptised?
Are there any workhouse records available for around the time of Johns birth (1843)?
On my ancestors marriage cert his father is named John Barratt not John King....I’m thinking that my ancestors mother may have told him that he was named after his father and that his father had died, so maybe he didn’t know he was illegitimate and just presumed his fathers surname was the same as his....
How likely would you say this is?
Or what other reason would be likely for the fathers surname to be different on the birth and marriage certs?
Any help offered would be greatly appreciated.
:)
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Here is a history of the workhouse at Oakham.....
http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Oakham/
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How likely would you say this is?
It was quite common for illegitimate children to make up a fathers name when they married so as to appear "respectable"
It's more likely he knew he was illegitimate and chose not to use the surname King for his father as it would have drawn attention to his illegitimacy.
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Thank you both for the very helpful information and link.
:)