Hi everyone!
I am interested to know if other people have come across similar situations with family research in relation to children following deaths of a father.
I have a relation, Fanny Reeves (born in Newtown Linford, Leicestershire in 1853 approx) who married Freestone Reeves (born in Gaddesby, Leicestershire in 1851 approx). They had a number of children together before Freestone died in 1888. In the 1891 census, Fanny’s marital status is widowed.
However, she has a few more children following his death (William Henry b. 1890, Dymock Johnson b. 1893 and Arthur b. 1899), despite not remarrying. I haven’t ordered any birth certificates for these children but the birth record lists them under Reeves (and either not having a mother’s maiden name disclosed or their mother’s maiden name being Reeves).
I found the baptism record for these children as well - both William and Dymock were baptised in 1896 and don’t have their father’s name or occupation listed. They were also baptised with their older sibling, Joseph, who was actually born before Freestone’s death so presumably has Freestone’s name on his birth certificate. Despite this, Freestone is still not listed on the baptism record.
Arthur was baptised in 1907 (along with his niece and nephew), but he was baptised in Belgrave, Leicester and away from Newtown Linford where the whole family grew up. Interestingly, Freestone is listed as the father on the baptism record - despite him being deceased 11 years before Arthur’s birth!
It seems like Fanny got pregnant out of wedlock following the death of Freestone, as I haven’t seen any evidence that she remarried. I was simply wondering about the context of this, and if anyone has any similar stories to share. Many thanks.