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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Keziahemm on Monday 18 February 13 16:40 GMT (UK)

Title: Illegitimacy, father's name on birth certificate
Post by: Keziahemm on Monday 18 February 13 16:40 GMT (UK)

In the 1930s if the father's name is given on the birth certificate of an illegitimate child, would he have had to be present at the registration or given his written consent? 

Keziah

Title: Re: Illegitimacy, father's name on birth certificate
Post by: Lostris on Monday 18 February 13 16:44 GMT (UK)

may help - see Fathers name Column section - http://home.clara.net/dixons/Certificates/births.htm#COL4

Title: Re: Illegitimacy, father's name on birth certificate
Post by: stanmapstone on Monday 18 February 13 16:45 GMT (UK)

Yes, under the 1874 Act. Between 1837 and 1874 if the mother informed a registrar of an illegitimate child's birth and also stated a father's name, the registrar could record him as the father, although he may not have actually been the father.
This applied until The Registration Act of 1874 which stated:
"The putative father of an illegitimate child cannot be required as father to give information respecting the birth. The name, surname and occupation of the putative father of an illegitimate child must not be entered except at the joint request of the father and mother; in which case both the father and mother must sign the entry as informants" The Act came into force on 1st January 1875.

Stan

Title: Re: Illegitimacy, father's name on birth certificate
Post by: Keziahemm on Monday 18 February 13 17:01 GMT (UK)

Thank you both, that's clarified the situation

Keziah