Role of father of illegitimate child

[diana1]

I am intrigued to see the name of the father, James Fraser, appearing in the informant's column of my greatgrandmother's birth record below the signature of the mother, Christina Kinnear.  (The writing is too indistinct for me to be sure whether it is his signature or the registrar's writing.)

My greatgrandmother, Ann Fraser, is recorded as illegitimate.  But she gives her father's name on her marriage record and it even appears on her death record.

Can anyone illuminate me about the mores current in 1862 in Angus (Dun).  Why would there be so much recognition of the father's identity in an illegitimate birth and yet the couple do not marry?  What are the most likely reasons?  Any thoughts would be welcome.

Jim Murray

[MonicaL]

Hi Jim

My understanding on this issue is that if the father accepted paternity of the child, he would need to attend in person the registration of the birth to confirm that the child was his and agreed for his name to be used in the Birth Cert and indeed, for the child to use his surname. If the father disputed the paternity of the child and was not present, then the birth was registered with the mother's surname only and only her details were given. In some cases, where paternity was later proven, there would be a reference on the birth entry on the register, to the Register of Corrections where further details would be added including the father's name.

Perhaps someone with more detailed knowledge can add to this.

Regards.

Monica

[diana1]

Thank you Monica - that is most helpful

Jim

[Forfarian]

Monica is right that the father's name can only be on the birth certificate if he attended with the mother and signed the certificate.

However it's not uncommon for an illegitimate child to be known by its father's name even if he hadn't signed the certificate. It's also common for an illegitimate child to be given its father's full name as a given name.

[diana1]

Hi Forfarian,

Thank you for the further points.

When you say 'birth certificate' is this the same as the birth registration record of which one derives copies from scotlandspeople.com?

Jim Murray

[Forfarian]

When you say 'birth certificate' is this the same as the birth registration record of which one derives copies from scotlandspeople.com?

In effect, yes. Strictly speaking a birth certificate is an extract from the birth registers and contains the same information as the register of births.

[diana1]

Thanks, Forfarian,


Jim Murray