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My daughters grand father b.1919 was illegitimate. We ordered his certificate and long awaited its arrival! It came and we searched for his mothers birth, unfortunately we cannot seem to find it.

Olive Marion Harrison - We don't know where she was born or when but most probably near Brighton (that is where her son was born) could anyone please help me!!

Thankyou

Very difficult without knowing her age. We don't even know if she'd be on the 1901 census. She might not have been born then.
Don't know what to suggest.

just a wild idea

Name: Olive M Smith
Year of Registration: 1918
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
Spouse's Surname: Harrison Ralph John
District: Hastings (1837-1977)
County: Sussex
Volume: 2b
Page: 20 (click to see others


Ralph \John Harrison on wwi medals roll for Jan 1919

Thanks for your help, it doesn't say she was single it says 'hotel barmaid'. Ernest (her son) is called Harrison and name is listed as Harrison. If she was born another name wouldn't it list her maiden name?

Thanks

Real long shot, but could the dad have died in the war? Perhaps she came to Brighton for the birth of the baby but came from somewhere else?

Selena

Thanks Selena.. there wont be a way I could find out? As her name is Harrison on the cert. I have nothing else to go off.. any suggestions?

the child would have been registered under her husbands name whether it was his child or not.... a child is registered under the mother's current surname, which if she were married would be Harrison.

There is no father listed does this mean he could not be illegitimate?

if the mother registers the birth the father has to be present to agree to having his name on the cert. There is a good chance as she was a barmaid she may have gotten pregnant by someone other than her husband and he has refused to go along....

Technically as she is married and the child is registered with the family (maybe married) name he's not illegitimate!!

But that is pushing it a little lol

Tracey

My daughters fathers family was never easy!!

This looks like it is going to be hard!!

Thanks for all your help

Did grandad have any cousins, aunts or uncles on his mum's side?

Do you have grandad's marriage certificate? Any father mentioned?

Selena

Alison

It might be worth you contacting Lewes Records office (who cover Brighton and surrounding areas) and see how much they'd charge for a quick scout around. As long as you give them all the information you have they are usually really helpful and don't charge too much.

Unfortunately I know nothing else. Ernest died before I met my daughters father. I may order Ernests marriage cert and see if a father is mentioned. Thanks Alison

Be very careful with that one....

Father's are very often included on marriage certs when one never existed (to save face).... they are always usually deceased also....

He may also have never known he was illegitimate and listed a step parent as the actual parent....

Marriage certs can be very cruel..

Tracey

even if she was a widow or the child was the result of another liason the birth cert would still state her maiden name, seeing as its only Harrison on the cert then i would say she was a single mum

Shirley

The birth cert would state the surname of the mother at the time of the birth.....

You cannot simply go back to your maiden name once widowed or divorced.... Same as when you remarry, you remarry as your previously used name, not the name you were born with...

I changed my name legally once i divorced as i was in a new relationship and not planning to marry again, i didn;t want any children of my new relationship being born with my ex husbands name!

Life sucks but still we plough on!

Tracey :)

Tracy I wasn't saying she reverted to her maiden name ,was saying she could have reg baby as a Harrison ie her current name,but if she was a widow then her maiden name would still show .

I have a birth cert of a boy born 6 months after his dad died. he is in the current surname of his mum ie her married name and her maiden name is shown under mothers name as eg Smith formerly Jones

Shirley

Yes i see what you mean now.... sorry been getting angst on another thread and the mist is starting to descend!!


T xx

No problem !! we are all trying to help


Shirley

Thanks Tracey

I may have to re think how i approach this!

Thanks for all your help Alison