Could Ralph have been her father after all?

[JeanetteH]

My great-great-grandmother, Charlotte Emily Collins, was born illegitimate in the Poorhouse in Winchester in 1836 (just before they opened the new Workhouse later that year) to Sarah Ann Collins, aged about 18 and the daughter of a shoemaker. I have assumed that her family weren't supportive of her situation and that was why she ended up in the poorhouse.

Three years later Sarah Ann married Ralph Weston, a labourer, in the parish of St. Maurice. Whether she had been in the Workhouse for all this time or not until her marriage I have no idea.

Ralph Weston was a railway labourer and the family were living near Reigate in Surrey in 1841 - Charlotte Emily Collins is on the census as "Emily Weston". Ten years later the family were living in Wiltshire at West Dean/East Grimstead and Charlotte Emily's surname is listed as "Weston" again. Sarah Ann and Ralph, didn't have together (as far as I can ascertain) any surviving children. Ralph and Sarah Ann were back living in Winchester by 1861, were he eventually worked for the gas works.

Charlotte Emily married Frederick Shergold at the Congregational Church in Winchester in 1858. On their marriage certificate her name is "Charlotte Emily Collins" and her father is named as "Ralph Weston".

I can only assume that "Charlotte Emily Collins" was her "official" name and "Emily Weston" was the name she went by and that everyone knew her as.

However I can't help wondering sometimes: was Ralph really her father or not?

I have always assumed that he wasn't but then I'm just not sure. Why would she have put Ralph's name as "father" on her marriage certificate if he wasn't and wouldn't the Registrar have questioned this if it was not the done thing to put step-fathers in this column?

I am hoping that some of you with some knowledge about this sort of thing have some thoughts or opinions that may be able to help me work this out.

Jeanette

[Peter Goodey]

On their marriage certificate her name is "Charlotte Emily Collins" and her father is named as "Ralph Weston".
This is not at all unusual. I'm afraid you can't draw any conclusions about her biological parentage from this. The only thing you might find slightly surprising is that she gave her surname as Collins and not Weston. But people did funny things when they were suddenly confronted by officialdom.

I've seen the stepfather entered as father even if the child was born legitimately.

If it makes you feel better, you might like to infer from the evidence that Ralph was a kindly father who brought up Charlotte as if she were his own. Perhaps he even coughed up some money for the wedding - wouldn't it be churlish not to show him as the father?

[JeanetteH]

Thank you Peter for your response.
This is not at all unusual. I'm afraid you can't draw any conclusions about her biological parentage from this.
Yes, this is what I've always thought.

The only thing you might find slightly surprising is that she gave her surname as Collins and not Weston.
Yes, I agree. I think that's why it's always had me wondering.

If it makes you feel better, you might like to infer from the evidence that Ralph was a kindly father who brought up Charlotte as if she were his own. Perhaps he even coughed up some money for the wedding - wouldn't it be churlish not to show him as the father?
Absolutely! This is certainly the impression I've had. In fact, it's evident to me that Ralph Weston was certainly revered. Charlotte Emily and Frederick's eldest son was named Ralph and their daughter (my great-grandmother) gave the name to one of her sons.

Jeanette

[Peter Goodey]

It might be possible to find out something about the biological father although realistically in view of the geography you might have to have someone do it for you. From what you say it seems that Ralph was the major positive influence on Charlotte's early life and I'd certainly be every bit as interested in tracking his ancestry.

[JeanetteH]

It might be possible to find out something about the biological father although realistically in view of the geography you might have to have someone do it for you. From what you say it seems that Ralph was the major positive influence on Charlotte's early life and I'd certainly be every bit as interested in tracking his ancestry.
I will have to one of these days, get a researcher to have a look - it probably wouldn't hurt to dig around in some records just in case something comes to light.

Ralph's origins seem a little mysterious too. He was born in Winchester but I've found no one else obviously connected to him and I can't find any trace of the father he mentions (who had the same name). All part of the fun of genealogy!

Jeanette

[Peter Goodey]

Ralph's origins seem a little mysterious too. He was born in Winchester but I've found no one else obviously connected to him and I can't find any trace of the father he mentions (who had the same name).
There's a Hampshire Baptism Index covering 1813-1837 which might be useful (published by Hampshire Genealogical Society and available in many good genealogical libraries ;) )

[JeanetteH]

There's a Hampshire Baptism Index covering 1813-1837 which might be useful (published by Hampshire Genealogical Society and available in many good genealogical libraries ;) )
OK, thanks Peter for that tip. I'll look out for that one.

Jeanette

[Peter Goodey]

I may be able to have a look at the CD for you soon if you can hold on.

[Peter Goodey]

Ralph's origins seem a little mysterious too. He was born in Winchester but I've found no one else obviously connected to him and I can't find any trace of the father he mentions (who had the same name). I have an answer to this one now:

Ralph WESTON; parents Ralph & Mary; baptised 9 Feb 1817; Winchester St Bartholomew Hyde.

There were no obvious siblings listed.

Feel free to contact me if there's anything else I can do to help.

[JeanetteH]

Oh, wow!

Peter, thank you so much!

Jeanette