what do I do when the census records don't match?

[PaulineJ]

KATE SMITH b 1889 didn't have a father at birth/baptism.
Any later "father" would appear to be a polite fiction.

The MOTHER of Kate b 1889 would appear to be Kate b 1874, who was the daughter of Caroline.

Neither Kate has a father at birth/baptism

[innerspark]

Thank you Pauline, is that on her birth certificate? How else can we confirm that?

(doesn't appear to have a father)

[PaulineJ]

Thank you Pauline, is that on her birth certificate? How else can we confirm that?

(doesn't appear to have a father)

Which particular piece of info are you querying?
The information is in previous posts, go back and read them carefully.
It's easy to miss information if you rush

[innerspark]

It is confusing that her father isn't listed. Is it best I order a birth certificate to get confirmation? Thanks

[PaulineJ]

Which "her" ?

at reply 6 there are the baptism of BOTH Kates.
At other posts there is the absence of a Mother's maiden name in the birth indexes.

[innerspark]

I was referring to Kate Smith's (1889) father , it says that he isn't listed and that any later father is a polite fiction.

Ah, sorry, reading back through all the posts now.

[PaulineJ]

There are TWO Kate Smiths.
Kate the daughter of Caroline and Kate the daughter of Kate
 If you do not indicate which one you are on about , you will confuse yourself and everyone else.

[keyboard86]

Look both the Kate Elizabeth children in 1874 and 1890 were ilegitimate children of firstly Caroline and then Kate Elizabeth b 1874, the Thomas Francis Smith was born 30th October 1888 and baptism 20th January 1889 Mother Kate Singlewoman
Keyboard86

[innerspark]

Thank you, now I think I understand

Kate Smith 1 - 1874, mother Caroline

Kate Smith 2 - 1889, mother Kate Smith
Thomas Francis Smith, 1888 - also mother Kate

Thanks for your help. Sorry for the confusion.