Birth Certificate Questions

[Redcanuck]

A general question on Birth Certificates from the 1920's.

If the parents are not married, What would they list under father?

Would they leave it blank, write unknown or use the B word?

If the father was know and not married to the mother, would his name be on the Birth certificate or was that not done if they were not married?

Or was there no general rule on how these situations where handled and was it left to officials on the spot?

[Peter Goodey]

In England and Wales, if they were unmarried the father's name might be shown but only if he turned up in person.

Otherwise it would be blank.

Proof of marriage wasn't required - lies could be told.

Don't forget that it would not be illegal in England for Miss Smith to call herself Mrs Jones!

[benny1982]

Hi

Normally the fathers name didnt show on a birth certificate of an illegitimate child, even if he was known, which in most cases probably was. It is possible that the registrar didnt enter his name even if the mother told him who the reputed father was.

Yes, sometimes lies were told but I think most were quite truthful, especially if they were planning to marry the father later on.

I think this changed after 1875 when a father could only be noted down if he agreed to it and was present. But before that, normally if the father was known but not wed to the mother, then usually his name and occupation is left blank.

Ben

[Guy Etchells]

Between 1837 and around 1850 the father's name could be shown on a birth certificate.
After that until 1875 there was clarification of the regulations and the father's name could not be shown on a birth register if the couple were not married.
Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1874 (in force from 1st Jan. 1875) then changed the situation allowing the father's name to be added according to the following

"7. In the case of an illegitimate child no person shall, as father of such child, be required to give information under this Act concerning the birth of such child, and the registrar shall not enter in the register the name of any person as father of such child unless at the joint request of the mother and of the person acknowledging himself to be the father of such child, and such person shall in such case sign the register, together with the mother."
Cheers
Guy