Possible adoption

[MMacKG43]

We have a rather odd problem in that an aunt of my husband, unmarried, was always rumoured to have had 2 children but this was never confirmed until after her death when a man contacted us to say tht Birthlink had confirmed that our auntie was his mother, sadly they never met.   His papers show that he was born at 18 Monteith Row, Glasgow G40 in 1942.   2 of us have made efforts to find if there was an other child born to auntie.   She normally resided at Arduthie Road, Govan but, in 1947 we found her via the Electoral Roll, again living at 18 Monteith Row.   The following year she was back t her usual address.   Can any one advise us how to find if there was another birth linked to her?   We understand that no details of adoption can be disclosed but would simply like to know if there was an other cousin around.   Thank you for any help available.

[CaroleW]

Welcome to Rootschat

You could start by confirming the surname under which the 1942 birth was registered and where it was registered.  Was it your aunts surname?

www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

If so - it’s likely that any subsequent birth was registered in her surname & probably the same registration district. 

See this post re 18 Monteith Row

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=786534.0

[jim1]

She normally resided at Arduthie Road, Govan but, in 1947 we found her via the Electoral Roll, again living at 18 Monteith Row.

So another child born 1947 possibly.

[MonicaL]

Welcome to RC from me too 

For the period you are looking at, you cannot confirm details online on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk You can only go with what shows on the index, which does not confirm mother's maiden name.

Not sure how possible this suggestion is for you subject to where you live (and the main Scottish genealogy centres re opening post covid). You can do this search in person at a main centre. You can also search using mother's maiden name from 1929. Doing this search in person, you can also view the actual entry on the register to make sure you have the right entry.

Monica

[MonicaL]

After a number of years of references to 18 Monteith Row, I now found the background to it which wasn't obvious from directories or the Valuation Rolls etc. This clip below is part of a larger article in the Scotsman on 10 Feb 1939:

[MonicaL]

There are also numerous adverts for the adoption of babies such as the one below from 1944:

[IgorStrav]

Fascinating clip, Monica.

I entirely appreciate it was different times.

But to have the description of the attributes of the child (presumably as yet unborn) add that an "outfit" is included in the deal is very sad.

[MonicaL]

The whole article on the court case gives a sad overview of the adoption business at this nursing home (likely the same in other nursing homes). Sounds like mother and daughter were doing a roaring trade and problems arose along the way. I assume they were found not guilty...given they were still very active in the 1940s given these adverts in the press.

Monica

[MMacKG43]

Hello Monica
Thank you so much for all that information.   Strangely enough with the adoption of aunties first, and only officially known child in 1942, the adopted child gave us copies of a letter showing that auntie had handed over her child with an outfit and had paid the expenses and, although the solicitors name is not shown, the letter was witnessed by 2 people at an office in Bath Street.   She was an intelligent lady and I find it very sad if she had been misled like this.   His birth certificate shows birth at 18 Monteith Road.   I will investiga43te this further.  MMacKG