Genealogy Chat

Actually I made an error in my reply above, on his marriage certificate it states his age as 24 which fits the June 1904 birth. Thanks for the tips anyway. Regards, Andy

Andrew Well, the information on his marriage cert is either A - False B- True. If it is TRUE, then he cannot have been 'abandoned' and some sort of records must exist. If it is false, then he just made it up for the wedding, but there should still be some record of him prior to his marriage. Have you looked at any Workhouses in the area? If he was born in 1900, then he should appear somewhere in the 1901 census. Many Workhouse admission records do survive - I found some from 1864 right through to 1898. Good hunting. Olde Crone

Yes, that's pretty much the situation. My grandfather William Gray was allegedly abandoned as a baby on William Street in Sheffield. His marriage certificate in 1928 states Henry Gray (tramway worker) as the father and William's age is 28. On his death certificate (1976) his birth date is recorded as June 1904. However, try as I have, I've never succeeded in finding the birth certificate or any other information that might help. Oh well, perhaps the true story is lost in the midst of time. Regards, Andy

Yes, ALL children had to be registered, including 'abandoned' babies. The problem occurs though - the mother MAY have registered the child and then handed the child to the equivalent of an orphanage. But a truly 'abandoned' child would still need to be registered and in the absence of any information about the child's origins, then the officials at the workhouse/orphanage etc would make up a name. This might reflect the circumstances in which the child was found, e.g. a child given the surnmae Longstreet might have been found in Long Street. It was also I believe, customary to give the child the surname Christmas, if it was abandoned aroumd that time. Is this what you mean? Olde Crone

Regarding adoptions around 1904, was it still law that an abandoned baby must be registered? Any info appreciated. Thanks, Andy

Where children were illegitmate they were often taken in by relatives who were married, so the mother would still be able to work or even be married 7 have more children. Often it was a case of keeping up appearences.

i see thank you to all who helped me out

what did it involve ? Basically giving your baby or child to anyone that would have it/wanted it

Adoption was not legal until 1927. Anything before then would be on an informal basis and probably not recorded anywhere. nell

hello can anyone tell me what adoption involved around 1890? adam