Illegitimate Child

[ResearchJu]

Hi,  I am looking for further details relating to my Great Grandfather Frederick Allen, born circa 1868 in Woolwich, Kent.  Through DNA I have worked out his likely Mother is Emily Allen and his Father is Charles John Barrett, both living in Deptford.  It appears he is illegitimate and there doesn't appear to be a birth registration. Frederick turns up on the 1871 census living with his Aunt Eliza Reeves (nee Allen) and her family and it says he is her nephew and is 2 years old.  Frederick next appears in 1872 in the Woolwich Union Workhouse where it says he has been deserted and then again in 1873 where he is sent to the Poor law School.  At 14 he becomes a Hairdresser Apprentice and in future census' he says he was born in 1868 in Woolwich.  I'm just wondering if there is likely to be any other records I might be able to search like baptisms to see  if he was registered in some way although I haven't come across anything yet.  Oddly after he marries official documents list him as George Frederick Allen - children's birth certificates etc.  The person who he was apprenticed out to was called George.  Thanks in advance for any help.

[iolaus]

There's an illegitimate baby boy Allen born in Islington 1867
GRO Reference: 1867  D Quarter in ISLINGTON  Volume 01B  Page 260

And one in Kensington in 1869
GRO Reference: 1869  D Quarter in KENSINGTON  Volume 01A  Page 157

They may be worth looking into as neither has a forename on registration

[CaroleW]

If he was born in Woolwich up to 1868 - his birth should have been registered in either the Greenwich or Woolwich RD's but nothing listed.

Who did he marry & when?  ? Rose

In 1891 he is shown as the nephew of Clifford Chatfield & his wife Annie Priscilla nee Merchant so no obvious Allen connection there

[CaroleW]

Spent ages trying to find him on the 1871 - Ancestry have him as age 9 - not 2 - & his birthplace is shown as Plumstead not Woolwich

[Jomot]

Sorry I can't find a birth for him either, but going off on a tangent - if yours is the tree on Ancestry then I don't think you have his Lunacy Reception Order (goes over several pages):

https://www.rootschat.com/links/01r7d/

[ResearchJu]

Thank you so much for all your replies.   I have ordered several certificates for George Frederick Allen and Frederick Allen but have not had any luck so far but will now look at the Islington and Kensington ones.  He did marry Rose Halpin in 1898 - he is on the 1891 census living on his own as an 'Orphan' in Clinton Road, Mile End as a Hairdresser and in 1901 with his wife and 2 children.  It's also odd as you say on the 1871 census as it looks like he is 9 but Find my Past have it as 2 so I think it is the way it is written.  Wow thanks so much for the Lunacy Reception Order - how on earth did you find that - I contacted Surrey Heritage Centre and they came up with very little detail.  I really appreciate everyone's help.  Thanks so much.

[CaroleW]

In 1891 he is with Clifford Chatfield - not on his own. When you look closer at the relationship column on the original entry it does say orphan - but has been transcribed as nephew

[mckha489]

In 1891 he is with Clifford Chatfield - not on his own. When you look closer at the relationship column on the original entry it does say orphan - but has been transcribed as nephew

I don’t think he is with Clifford. They are at no 11 Lawton Rd,  and Frederick is at No 1 Clinton Rd

[CaroleW]

You are so right - I wonder why his status is orphan & not "head"