Baptism Query

[kjmck]

Hi Guys & Girls,

I have a quick question about baptisms.

If a child is born illegitimate, and his father is not registered on the birth certificate, but then on this child's baptismal record the father is listed, does that mean the man listed as the father is definitely the biological father?

George William Nightingale b. jul-sept 1862 to Mary Hannah Nightingale.

Mary Hannah Nightingale marries William Hampton (14.06.1863)

George William Hampton & Thomas Albert Hampton both baptised 08.07.1866.

However on George William's marriage record to Elizabeth Griffiths in 1885 he is listed as George William Hampton Nightingale.

Any thoughts?

Thanks - K.

[Jebber]

Of course it is possible but I would be sceptical.

 Was there a reason preventing the marriage taking place earlier? Unless William Hampton was widowed between George's birth and a Mary's marriage to him, I would think it unlikely he was the father, the late baptism merely giving  an appearance of legitimacy.

[lisalucie]

I have this quite a few times in my tree - no father listed on birth certificate, child/children always go by their mothers maiden name as their surname - but mother and "father" marry shortly after the child's birth. In almost every case in mine I would be more inclined to assume the "father" is actually the biological father. I say this because they are always listed as "son, daughter" on census records, on their marriage certificates/ parish records they state the father as their father. They also in some cases share the same name as the father.

In your case, although there's no way of 100% knowing I'd say he stands a chance as being the biological father. Mom and dad married in a relatively short time after his birth and he has William as a middle name (the dads name). What relationship do they give on census records?

Hope this helps, Lisa

[lisalucie]

I think it also makes a difference what town/area we are talking about and also the profession and class of the people.

My miners/iron workers from a heavily industrial area in Wolverhampton ALL had at least one child before marriage - some 4 or 5. It just doesn't seem to be the "scandal" we have been led to believe the victorians thought it was. At least not where my lot were from 

[BoslemBoy]

One thing you've not told us:  what was father's name (if any) on the 1885 marriage certificate?

BB

[BumbleB]

There is no father's name on the marriage entry.  Therefore Mr Hampton may or may not be George William's natural father.

[BoslemBoy]

Entry/register or actual certificate?  If no name is on the certificate then the implication would be illegitimacy, presumably?

BB

[BumbleB]

I looked at the entry on the parish register - where there are "dashes" for the Father's Name" and "Occupation". 

The image is available to view via FindMyPast.

[BoslemBoy]

Thanks for the clarification.  As I have said, this adds to the weight of evidence to suggest that the 'father' in the subsequent records was probably his 'stepfather'.

BB