Real mum

[River Tyne Lass]

I think this is quite an unusual claim to make if it wasn't true, so sounds like it could be true to me.

Are there archives in the area where your Grandmother/half sister lived where you might be able to do a bit more digging?

Do you know where half sister went to school?  Might school admissions registers exist and be at the archives or at the old school.  If such a register showed that half sister was withdrawn from school at around the right point this might be encouraging for her claim but if she was not withdrawn and showed a good attendance over the period it would more refute things as she most likely wouldn't be able to attend school pregnant.

Perhaps your Grandmother was born at home but no matter what birth cert says it might be an idea to check other registers that might be available at an archives such as maternity registers/workhouse hospital registers.  Also check school log books and workhouse minutes.

Did half sister have more children?  If so might it be an idea to do dna testing.  I am no expert on dna matters but I think you would probably be expected to match more closely to any half sister's descendant if she was really your Great Grandmother rather than just a half sister.  Other people might know more on this.

My first port of call would be to check a school admission register if it still exists to see if it looks like there might be any credence or not to claim in there.

Sorry, if this seems like a lot of work but this might yield results with being able to support or refute her claim.

[wivenhoe]

From the birth certificate that you have -

What do you see for date and place of birth?

What do you see for date and place of registration?

What name do you see for informant?

[tonepad]

"Do you know where half sister went to school?  Might school admissions registers exist and be at the archives or at the old school.  If such a register showed that half sister was withdrawn from school at around the right point this might be encouraging for her claim but if she was not withdrawn and showed a good attendance over the period it would more refute things as she most likely wouldn't be able to attend school pregnant."

You would have to take into consideration that the school leaving age in 1912 was 12 years old.


Tony

[Treasure hunter]

Thanks for the replies.

River tyne lass...I have no idea on schooling etc, but I will try to look around that area. My gmum always said that she was born on a ship, but birth certificate states born at home.

Wivenhoe....1912. Sub district Southampton western, county of Southampton. With the registration taking place 26 days later. Not sure what you mean by informant. The only names on the bc, are gmums, her parents and the registrar.

Tony...Yes, good point to consider.

I have an aunty, who apparently has a letter, from one of the half sisters children. She has told me it answers some questions, said she would find it and email it to me. That was sooooooo long ago. I have already asked for it a few times.She hasn't even told me what secrets it may or may not reveal..... Sigh.... It could be a missing piece of the huge puzzle.

[River Tyne Lass]

Interesting point Tony, but my illegitimate Grandmother, seems to have left school at age 14 in 1909 .. so you never know half sister may have still been at school.