Paternity puzzle

[Davran]

I have a mystery, which I don't know how to solve and would like others' thoughts, please.

I have Sophia Webb b1853, who died a spinster in 1917. She lived with her parents until her mother died in 1871. She then continued living with her father, but produced four children in 1874, 1877, 1882 and 1885. I have one birth cert of Ernest Webb, which lists no father and I know from another researcher that his brother Albert's birth cert also lists no father. :confused:

Sophia is not listed as having any occupation in either 1891 or 1901, though her sons were working.

[bumblebee]

Possibly a check in the parish records for a copy of the baptisms could help, sometimes the Vicar wrote his little 'comments' didn't he. Quite a few that I have checked recently in my local archives have had, 'alleged father is.....'.

Also what about the children's marriage certificates, I wonder if the fathers names have been left blank or if they 'considered' someone to be their father and gave a name.

Bumblebee

[Peter Goodey]

Try poor law records and affiliation orders (petty sessions).

For more tips, get hold of "My Ancestor was a Bastard (http://www.parishchest.com/en-gb/dept_4824.html)" by Ruth Paley published by the Society of Genealogists.

[Davran]

Thanks Bumblebee and Peter. I think I'm losing the plot - I thought I had Ernest's marriage cert, but I don't, so that is a must. The parish records are in Aylesbury, so that is an option that needs some planning.

Peter, I'll see if I can get hold of that publication.

Thanks again - I knew someone would turn up trumps.