Genealogy Chat

hello, has anyone got an explaination for me as why a father wouldnt be named on the birth certificate however the child has been named using the fathers surname and was also brought up by this man....so it is not as though he was denying it was his??.......or was it his??

Is this regarding a recent or present day situation?

I have this is my tree. Selina was illegitimate born 1888, a few years after her birth her mother marries Mr Humpheys. Selina in later years takes on his name (1901 census), not legally of course. When she marries in 1918, she give both names, Muxlow and Humphreys. I don't think Mr Humphreys was her biological dad but you never know. On her marriage certificate the fathers name is blank. Hope this helps. Rach

Just re-read your message, I din't notice before about the fathers surname being the one used - I've got a vague recollection that if the parents aren't married, the father can only be named on the birth certificate if he goes along to register the birth. I think this is to stop the mother naming just anyone as the father. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me. Do you have the marriage certificate for the child? If so, is the father named on that? Currently the rules are - copied from the GRO site 'It all depends if the parents were married to each other at the time of the birth or conception. If they were, then either the mother or father can register the birth on their own. If they weren’t, then who goes to do it will depend on a number of factors: if you want the father's details to be entered in the register, then both parents can go and sign the birth register together. if the father is unable to go to the register office with the mother, but you still want his details included, then he can make a statutory declaration on form 16 (or form 16W for births which took place in Wales) acknowledging his paternity, which the mother must give to the registrar. if the mother is unable to go to the register office with the father, she may make a statutory declaration acknowledging the father's paternity on the same form(s) as above, which the father can give to the registrar. where there is a parental responsibility agreement in force or either parent has obtained an appropriate court order, this document can be presented at the time of registration by either parent. If the father's particulars are not recorded in the birth register, it may be possible for the birth to be re-registered to include his details at a later date.' Rachel

Kimberley,your information that you sent me doesnt add up. What is the info on the cert-are you sure its 1917?