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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: glenclare on Tuesday 28 December 21 18:31 GMT (UK)

Title: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: glenclare on Tuesday 28 December 21 18:31 GMT (UK)
Today we can hardly do anything, or so it seems, without proving who we are in multiple and specific ways.

I have a relative who appears to have been born in 1898, but his birth was not registered, as far as we can tell after decades of searching. His death was registered in 1985. At any point in his life would there have been any occasion when not being registered at birth (in England) would have caused difficulties for him?

Thank you in advance
Title: Re: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: PaulineJ on Tuesday 28 December 21 18:37 GMT (UK)
Claiming Old age pension might have been a challenge.

Not much otherwise
Title: Re: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: KGarrad on Tuesday 28 December 21 18:59 GMT (UK)
Registering a birth was mandatory after 1874, if the birth was in England or Wales.

When did the parents marry - possibly an illegitimate birth?
Or maybe registered as simply "Male"?
Title: Re: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 28 December 21 19:05 GMT (UK)
Is it possible he was unofficially adopted i.e. brought up by a different surname to what he was registered as?

Annie
Title: Re: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: Palladium on Tuesday 28 December 21 19:11 GMT (UK)
My g'mother had great difficulty in claiming a pension. My g'father was not best pleased to find out. She and all her siblings were never registered and her parents were never married as far as I can determine.
Title: Re: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 28 December 21 19:12 GMT (UK)
Claiming Old age pension might have been a challenge.

Not much otherwise

The only other thing I can think of is, he would've needed a BC to get a passport if he'd gone on holiday abroad.

Have you found him on 1901/1911 census' & 1939 register which should give his correct DoB?

Annie

Title: Re: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: glenclare on Tuesday 28 December 21 19:19 GMT (UK)
Thank you for all your thoughts and suggestions.

His father married in 1881. That wife left him and no trace of her.
He then remarried December 1894 as a bachelor.

Their first child born Dec 1895 was registered under father’s name, and died shortly after. Both registrations were done by the maternal grandmother.

The unregistered one was born May 1898 according to census etc.

Three other children were born later, all registered.

Added: If they were truthful on 1911 there should be an additional  four birth and death registrations that seem to be non existent
Title: Re: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 28 December 21 19:31 GMT (UK)
What references do you have to the unregistered child?

What census records have you found him on, who was he living with & have you found him in 1939?

What yrs were the other registered children born, we need info. to help you?

Were the unregistered child & the "Three other children were born later, all registered" all in the same household on 1901 & 1911 census'?

Maybe it would be an idea to post what you know for others to help?

Annie
Title: Re: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: glenclare on Tuesday 28 December 21 19:54 GMT (UK)
Thank you Annie. I have all details of known children, census, births, marriages etc.

I am this one birth missing for Albert Ernest Brace and four missing children 1894-1911
(Missing children in addition to George Albert 1895)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSH2-HQK

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7PY-2KR

Previous thread
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=689159.msg5330569#msg5330569
Title: Re: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: Daisypetal on Tuesday 28 December 21 22:45 GMT (UK)

Hi,

This could be totally unconnected but it seems a strange coincidence.


Birth

Albert Ernest SMITH    Sep Q 1898    Wolverhampton    6b 656
mmn:  JONES


Baptism

St Anne, Willenhall, Staffordshire
Born:  31 May 1898
Baptism Date:  23 Jun 1898
Albert Ernest
Son of George & Jane Ann SMITH
81 Lower Lichfield Street
Iron-worker


I can't find an Albert SMITH born 1898 in Willenhall anywhere else.

Willenhall is a long way from the other known places for this family, I wonder if George and Jane had a reason to be away from home :-\


Regards,
Daisy
Title: Re: Would the lack of a birth registration have been a problem?
Post by: glenclare on Wednesday 29 December 21 00:02 GMT (UK)
Daisy, that is quite a find. Thank you.

Willenhall is given as his place of birth in 1911, and the date of birth matches 1939, and when he used to celebrate his birthday. I know that Jane’s Grandparents were living some where in Staffordshire at the time.
A great many matching facts


Why Smith and not Brace is the question. 

I think I will have to see if I can find a connection to the lower Lichfield street address.

Thank you again.