Alfred Shaw b1897 Gateshead - trying to trace father

[Neale1961]

Hi Questor
Over the last few days, I have had a further look at this and tried various avenues and ideas (no doubt replicating what you have already done), but I cannot find any new information for you.
It is possible that the birth registration you have attached with mother as Elizabeth Bendall is for your Alfred, but the mother made up some names to cover an illegitimate birth. As you know there are various details that make this a likely match, but other details raise questions.
It is also possible that your Alfred is recorded under some other surname - I tried a few like mother's maiden name and her mother's name, etc.
It is probable that the father was named "Alfred" but you may never know his surname. Alfred considered that Hugh (his step-father) was his "father", but I don't believe he was the biological father.
My only other thought is that George Shaw had a number of brothers, and I wonder if one of the brothers was the real father to your Alfred.

[Questor28]

Hi Neale

Thank you so much for having a look at this for me. You seem to have come to a similar conclusion to me. I too have tried to follow other family members without any success but I have found something that might be of interest to how the family dealt with registering illegitimate births.

In the 1911 census there is a Mary Shaw (4yrs old) listed as a grand daughter. I assumed this was the daughter of Harriet (Alfreds half sister who was not married) but, as with Alfred, I have not been able to find a record of the birth. I have checked out Alfreds half brothers families too. It is strange because all the legitimate births are registered correctly.

Does anyone know what the consequences/penalties were not registering or falsifying a birth registration and was this a common occurrence at this time.

On a separate note, I have recently completed a DNA test and am awaiting the results. I don't know what chance is of finding an answer there but I live in hope.

[Neale1961]

Yes, I believe there was a penalty for non-registration, but i don’t know the detail. I think it must have been difficult to police, and also you could just make up any name and register with that.
Another suggestion:
I wonder if you have tried to find who was living at 5 Arthur Street, Gateshead in the 1891 and 1901 census and electoral rolls during those years.

[Questor28]

Yes I have tried that route.

5 Arthur Street
1891  William(44) and Joan(41) Hopper + sons Joseph(12) and William(10)
1901  William(24) and Jane(24) Dixon + son John(2)

[jonwarrn]

I wonder if you have tried to find who was living at 5 Arthur Street, Gateshead in the 1891 and 1901 census and electoral rolls during those years.

1897-8
J - Central Polling District
Arthur Street, Division 1
No listing for number 5
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3JQ-Z43V?i=455&cat=216637

Division 3 (females, local elections only)
Nobody listed at 5 Arthur Street
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-P3JQ-ZH61?i=477&cat=216637

1898-99
Division 1
5 Arthur Street
Nobody listed
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-P3JQ-Z953-F?i=19&cat=216637

Division 3
5 Arthur Street
Shaw, Harriet
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3JQ-Z9KR-7?i=42&cat=216637

Now get this in 98-9!
M - Argylle Polling District
Division 3
4 Somerset Place
Shaw, Margaret
house (successive)
5 Arthur Street to 4 Somerset Place
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3JQ-Z9KB-F?i=113&cat=216637

So why didn't she show there in 97-8, or indeed in 96-7?
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3JQ-Z3KC?i=80&cat=216637

[jonwarrn]

So why didn't she show there in 97-8, or indeed in 96-7?
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3JQ-Z3KC?i=80&cat=216637

Oddly enough, looking at that image for Arthur Street in 1896-7, on the next page is Berwick Street, and at number 52 is an Elizabeth Bendall. Shop and house. Can't be far from Arthur Street as it's in the same polling district.
Who she? We know it's not a common name up there. Aaron Bendall's wife in business? Could that be? She is not listed the following year.

[Neale1961]

Jon, Excellent.
Thank you for those electoral roll details, which bring up a number of interesting points.
I will do some more searching.

[jonwarrn]

Please do! Let us know how you get on.

One more thing, the 1897-98 register has Elizabeth Bendall at 62 Worcester Street, successive from 52 Berwick Street
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3JQ-Z4WC?i=451&cat=216637

[Questor28]

Wow guys, what a great find.

Harriet was only 14 in 1898. How come she would be listed as a "voter"?