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Archiver > BRITISHHOMECHILDREN > 2000-11 > 0973905744


From: "Judy Noel" <>
Subject: Re: illegitimate children
Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 20:22:24 -0500
References: <01C04AFB.B5F73E20@bc-nan-a53-01-14.look.ca>


Hi Everyone,

I first began researching my mother's family, the Whitfields from
Cumberland, England. I had SO many stories and MOST of them are true. It
was me mentioning my research to a colleague who has two grandmothers who
were BHCs that actually led to my discovery that my grandfather was a BHC.
Anyway...

I learned that my great grandfather Timothy Whitfield b. 1855 was
illegitimate, that my great grandmother married Thomas Smith 3 years later
and Timothy ended up with 4 Smith brothers. What a shock! Sure never heard
of a mention of Smiths in all those many stories! :-)

I ranted on to the Researcher ($300 well spent to get me on my way!) about
poor Timothy and that he was lucky not to have been drowned at birth, or
something drastic. He sent me a fascinating little booklet "A McLaughlin
Guide - ILLEGITIMACY" by Eve McLaughlin. It says copies obtainable from Eve
McLaughlin, Varneys, 18 Rudds Lane, Haddenham, Aylesbury, Bucks HP17 8JP at
pounds 2.50 (+40pUK, +60p sea, +1.30 air). I don't know how old that is,
nor have I checked the internet to see if info can be found on line.

Of course no part of the pub can be reproduced, but I did learn that it is
very unlikely that a child would not be registered, as there were heavy
fines for not doing so. Illegitimate children were the responsibility of
the Parish and every effort was made to establish who the father was and
make him pay at least something toward the child, even if he wasn't
mentioned on the birth certificate. (My g-grandfather's father was not
listed, and times have changed because I am happy to be a Whitfield and it
is the family I spend most of my time trying to find.)

The booklet is very interesting. While illegitimacy was not the best of
circumstances, it seemed to be more accepted than in say the 1950s and
1960s! There are good tips on how to research illegitimate kin, as well.
Hope you will check it out and let me know if you are successful.

Regards,

Judy

----- Original Message -----
From: Theresa Shelley <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2000 12:50 PM
Subject: RE: illegitimate children


> Victoria,
>
> I think there are a load of reasons why a birth might not be registered,
including illegitimacy. Although there were probably more cases of
nonregistration nearer to the beginning of civil registration. It's similar
to the instances of errors & omissions on the census, none of these sources
are perfect.
> Have you considered the possibility of searching for her birth under other
surnames? She could be registered under the father's name if he was present
at the registration even if the parents were not married. How about
different given names? For instance, for most of his life my father was
known as James Charles Shelley, he was actually registered as Charles
Francis James Shelley. Have you considered the possibility of a change of
names or birthdate as many on this list have mentioned?
> I hope these suggestions help or at least get you thinking of other
possibilities.
>
> Good Luck,
> Theresa Shelley
> ----------
> From: Fitton
> Sent: 09 November 2000 12:05
> To:
> Subject: illegitimate children
>
> Hi Everybody:
> My grandmother Winifred Mary Ellen Andrews was born on Dec 6, 1889 (so she
said) in an orphanage in Bristol, England. I know she had a older brother
named Arthur Andrews and an Aunt Bessie. I have been trying to find her
birth certificate. A researcher in England found one in Leyton but Arthur
was not in the family. I do not think it is her birth certificate. I have
found an Andrews family in the 1881 census in Downton. In that family there
is three daughters Mary J., Fanny G., and Bessie. There is also a grandson
named Arthur Andrews 5 m old. I have the information to get his birth
certificate. If my grandmother was born in 1889 the daughter Mary would be
30 years old. I don't understand why the researcher could not find her birth
certificate in England or Wales.
> Anyone have any stories on illegitimate children that did not get
registered?
>
> Sincerely,
> Victoria Gregory
> on Quadra Island, B.C. Canada
> looking for : WESTON / WINTER / WALLHAUSER / GILLARD / PAULET / FOSBERY /
FITTON / KING / HEDEFINE / WICKSTEAD
>
>
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