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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Buckinghamshire => Topic started by: joejoe1 on Friday 14 September 07 22:43 BST (UK)

Title: Workhouse Births
Post by: joejoe1 on Friday 14 September 07 22:43 BST (UK)
hi to all
i have an ancestor that was born in the union workhouse,chesham,buckinghamshire in 1864. i have her birth certificate, no father mentioned. does anyone no if her mother would have had to name her father anywhere?  any information would be greatly appreciated
thank you
joejoe1
Title: Re: workhouse births
Post by: Arranroots on Friday 14 September 07 22:52 BST (UK)
Hi Joejoe

Yes, you need not despair just yet, it is quite possible that he was named somewhere.

You should try the Guardians Minute book of the workhouse - hopefully locals will know where that is to be found, but usually it is the record office.  It could be that there was a bastardy (or affiliation) order made against the father, or some other record of who paid for the woman's lying-in.

Another poosibility is that the local vicar recorded the father's name when the child was baptised.

Did the mother subsequently marry?  And how was the child named?  A surprising number were named after the putative father, some having his surname as a middle name.

let us know if there is anything specific that you need help with.

kind regards, Arranroots  ;)