Victoria 1881 Birth Registration

[Jean Price]

Hello All,

Two children born in 1881 - same mother - father's name is "U" and then the mother's maiden name -  registration numbers are 21000r and 21001r. What does the "r" mean? Can I take it that they are twins? and illegitimate?

The mother was a widow by 1881 - aged 28 - and already had 2 children with her husband. These 1881 children are registered in her maiden name - and they both have the same middle name which may be a clue to the father - but why use her maiden name?

Sorry, I am being very secret squirrel 

Any comments most welcome.
Jean

[Raylen]

Hi there Jean

There are actually 2 registrations for both of those numbers

As you say- one is in her maiden name and
the other is in her married name.

The letter 'r' after the registration number stands
for revised (I think) and it would appear that they were
in fact twins.
  Stand corrected if this is not right

Raylen

[cando]

Looking at the four registrations and the two consective numbers for each one would suggest twins.   There may have been confusion when registering the children when the mother may have stated she was a widow.  R usually indicates an amended or corrected registration.  I see her husband died in 1876.  I would suggest the children were illegitimate.

Cheers
Cando

[cando]

Raylen I think we are both on the right track...

Cheers
Cando

[Raylen]

 

cando,  for my own curiosity
why would both the registrations be marked 'r'?
Should there not  have been one original and one
revised?

Raylen

[alison2763]

Hi Raylen,
The "R" connects the "revised" entries. If you have a look there are 30 certificates with the registration 21000 and 30 for 21001 

Regards
Alison

[Raylen]

Hi Alison,

Although there are 30 registrations each for 21000 and 21001
there are none in 1881 

I guess what I mean is,  in 1881 shouldn't there
be one entry for 21000 and another in 1881 for 21000r ?

Raylen

[cando]

Raylen   both certs have been corrected.....and yes I agree it is usually #0000 and #0000R or r depending on the transcriber.  However it is interpreted the children are illegitimate. The husband died in 1876 and I can't see a re-marriage for the mother.  Perhaps it was confusion at the time of registration....or the interpretation of the transcriber from the register to the CD database.

Gosh I sound a tad school ma'mish...don't mean to be...bit rushed...as usual.  

Cheers for now
Cando

[Raylen]

Thanks cando,

Not school ma'mish at all.   

Raylen