If a baptism is shown with the mothers name only is this proof of illegitimacy? John Abel of Wednesbury was baptised in February 1778 the son of Mary Abel. I can find no other children baptised to Mary or a marriage for her but can find a baptism of a Mary Abel, the mother in September 1751 making her 28 when John was born if its the correct mother. A Mary Abel was buried in Wednesbury during May 1786 but gives no details as wife, widow, daughter etc. Alternatively i have found a marriage for a Mary Abel at Rowley Regis in 1784 to a widower named Thomas Tilley but no parish of origin is recorded. What do you suggest in order to find out more.... The Mary born in 1751 was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Abel so no connection to them when naming her child. If she is the mother of John and the daughter of Thomas i can only get back another generation when Thomas Abel marries Mary Biddle at Darlaston and can find no other references to the Abel family in Wednesbury before 1721.