Who’s the father?

[nenepops]

A question please.

After a long long time researching my late grandads family, it looks like him, and siblings may not have the same father.

I’ve found out he was away in the Army and the dates of the children’s birth is when he is away.
I have my late grandads birth certificate and his fathers name is on there but crossed out🤷🏻‍♀️
But his siblings have the same surname as my late grandad.

It was really to confirm that there isn’t any other way to find out who their real father is?🤯

[Stanwix England]

If we are talking about someone from the UK, it's my understanding that until recently, a married woman had to put her husband as the father of any child - regardless of what the truth was or not.

As to how you find out who the biological father of various children was, it's potentially possible to construct a DNA tree, but that relies on you have the co-operation of any dependents, plus it's expensive.

Another option that might be possible is to get the military records of when your GG Grandfather was in the forces, and work out where he was and when - which I think might be possible. If he was abroad, and not on leave, when some children were conceived, then you at least know that he wasn't the father of certain children.

Of course, that doesn't tell you who the actual biological father was.

With the help of a military expert, I was able to do this with one of my relatives - he was not the father as he was in India at the time, and not at a level which allowed people to go on leave. Still haven't found out who the actual father was.

EDIT: I just thought, if the names are crossed out, that does suggest that at some point the 'truth' was revealed to someone in authority? Have you checked the newspapers to see if there were any legal cases about your relatives? Something might possibly come out there.

[Milliepede]

Down the DNA route perhaps. 

Who crossed the name out?  Perhaps there was a falling out 

How long was the father away from home?  He may have had leave so unless you know for sure he was permanently away from home for 10 months or more he could still be the father.

Was your granddad the oldest of his siblings?

[nenepops]

Thank you.

I have his Military Records from when he was away.
Departed Sep 1913, went to Australia Sep 1915 and then Discharged Apr 1918.

Married 1909.

Had children; 1905, twins 1910, 1913, 1918 and 1923.

He filed for divorce 1917.

[Milliepede]

Which one was your granddad - what was his date of birth?

Does he name him as his father when he gets married?

[nenepops]

My grandads date of birth was 31/12/1913.

He was adopted at the age of 12 so he has his adopted fathers name on his marriage certificate.

He has his biological father’s first name but crossed out on his borth certificate🤷🏻‍♀️

[shanreagh]

My grandads date of birth was 31/12/1913.

He was adopted at the age of 12 so he has his adopted fathers name on his marriage certificate.

He has his biological father’s first name but crossed out on his borth certificate🤷🏻‍♀️

So your grandfather, or someone else, has crossed out the father's name on a copy of his birth certificate or does this amendment also appear as an  official amendment on  the records?

[Dundee]

He filed for divorce 1917.

Almost 100% of divorce files from that period have survived.  The father of the 1918 child might be named as co-respondent and there might also be reference to the father of the 1913 child as a previous example of infidelity if that was the case.

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/divorce/

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C8029870

Debra 

[Dundee]

I have his Military Records from when he was away.
Departed Sep 1913, went to Australia Sep 1915 and then Discharged Apr 1918.

I think you mean 'Departed Sep 1913, enlisted Australia Sep 1915'.  He is unmarried when he enlisted and gives his mother as NOK so it seems he had already considered that the marriage had ended. This might perhaps add weight to the possibility of the 1913 child not being his.

Debra