illegitimate children-Windley-Essex

[dutch missmarple]

Hi,
Is there a way to find out who the father is of an illegitimate child? I have a birthcertificate copy of James William Halls, born 27 July 1879 Woodford. Father not mentioned. Mother Jane Maria Halls. James was the second ill. child of Jane. The first child was Oscar J.T. Halls, born about 1877 (also in Woodford ?). Jane married (?) a John Windley from Chigwell. I'm desperately looking for the date of marriage. They had 3 more children: Zoe Ethel Windley (1889 Woodford), John Rupert Windley (1891 Woodford), Bessie Kathleen Windley (1894 Woodford). James was later known as Windley not as Halls. Oscar was later known as Halls.
Any information regarding this family grately appreciated.
I live in the netherlands so I have to rely on info through the internet.

[Ticker]

Hi missmarple

I wish there was a simple way - I have the same problem.

The father might be listed on the marriage certificate, but there is no guarantee it will be the natural father.

I have one case where the child's middle name was the surname of one of the families lodgers and that suggested to me he was the father, but difficult to ever be sure.

Sorry I can't be more help

Best wishes

Ticker

[casalguidi]

There is just a slight chance that there is something mentioned in the parish baptism register ie. father's name given.  It does happen from time to time so I would try and get their baptisms checked out if you can.

Casalguidi

[Carmela]

 Another possibility: if Jane tried to claim child-support
from the father, there might be a record in the Bastardy Papers, which are probably in the Essex Record Office. The Essex Society for Family History might be able to give you advice about finding these records. 
            http://www.esfh.org.uk/
 However, if the father was the man that she later married, they were probably on good terms and she would not have taken him to court.
 Have you found them in the 1881 Census to see if they were living together ?
 
hth,
Carmela

[dutch missmarple]

Hi carmela,
thank you for your reply. No, John and Jane where not living together census 1881. Jane lived with her mother and her 2 ill. children Oscar John T. and James William.
John was with his sister and her family( I don't know if he was just visiting or living there). By 1891 they were living together (according to the census married) and they had 2 more children. They all had the surname Windley, whilst in 1881 Oscar and James were called Halls after their mother. What strikes me is that Oscar's names were Oscar John T. ,  T. for Thomas? John's names were John Thomas. Could he be the father? On James birthcertificate no father was mentioned. I don't have Oscar's cert. but I'm guessing that his father wasn't mentioned either. Many questions, few answers.
missmarple