Birth in Exeter

[Roobarb]

I have been looking for the birth of my ancestor who was born in Exeter, I have that information from the censuses. Trouble is, there seem to be loads of parishes within Exeter, any ideas how I can decide which is the correct record? His name was quite common so there are lots of births for that name in the area and I'm not certain of the year. 

[bearkat]

Do marriage witnesses give any clues as to relatives?

[Roobarb]

The problem is that he was illegitimate, then his mother married when he was about 5 (not his father as he was subsequently listed as stepson on censuses), they moved north and when he married, his witnesses were his step sister & her fiancee. I do have the names of his mother and grandmother and his step brothers and sisters, they were all born around Exmouth, the eldest was born when he was about 7. 

[bearkat]

Knowing his mother's name and the fact that he was illegitimate should help narrow down the possibilities.

[Roobarb]

I've posted on this site asking for Bastardy records as the ones I sent for from the Devon FHS didn't include him.  Not sure if I can ask the GRO to check more than one record for the details of his birth

[Burrow Digger]

Is he (old enough to be) in any census records? An address could clarify which parish he was in, since Exeter does indeed have over 20 parishes.

BD

[Burrow Digger]

Not sure if I can ask the GRO to check more than one record for the details of his birth

I would think you can order as many records as you like from the GRO as long as you are willing to pay. 

BD

[bearkat]

You could try writing to Exeter reigister office.  They are often prepared to do a 5 year search.
If you supply as much info as you can and ask them to supply the certificate only if the mother and child match.

[Roobarb]

Yes, I have all the census details, he lived with his mother and grandmother in Topsham but the guy from the Devon FHS who I spoke to at the family history fair reckons that if it said Exeter on the censuses then that's where he was born, rather than Topsham. This is borne out by the entries for his mother as she was born in Topsham and that's what is shown on the census. I don't know the area at all except that it looks lovely in photos.And I'm sure you're right about the GRO records, Burrow Digger - unfortunately I come from one of the less affluent branches of the Bell family!    I think I'll try your way Bearkat.
Thanks all