Barnett - Farnham & Aldershot

[assa69]

I trying to find the father of wife's great grandfather William Hill Barnett who was born in January 1876 in Heath End, Farnham.  There is no father listed on the birth certificate, just the mother Emily Barnett. 

Things appear to go downhill for Emily as two further (fatherless recorded) children are born in the Union Workhouse in Farnham in 1878 (Arthur) and 1879 (Annie). 

By the 1881 census, Emily is in living in Aldershot.  William the eldest child is living with his Auntie Charlotte LLoyd (nee Barnett). 

In November 1881, Arthur dies at the age of 3 from maltruition and in December 1881 Emily has her fourth child Charlotte (again no father listed).

By the 1890's things appear to be on the up as the families moved to Croydon and Emily marries a George Kingham in 1980 and is listed as a spinster.

When William Hill Barnett married Harriett Plowman in August 1897, interesting his father was listed as William Hill Barnett (deceased) - Labourer.  However, I am pretty sure that this must have been made up, particualrly as there is no such person listed in the bmd's.  My guess is that the father may have been a William Hill and then Emily used her surname.

Does anyone any information or suggested avenues to pursue this matter further.

Thanks

Aaron

[jim1]

Hello Aaron & Welcome to RootsChat
2 avenues to pursue.The Workhouse records may hold info. about the father.On entry Emily would have been questioned about her circumstances.
She may have taken out an illegitimacy order on the father.These records if they exist will be held at the CRO.
It wasn't unusual to give an illegitimate child the fathers surname as a middle name.I have 3 myself (records not illegitimate children)
The marriage entry was a face saving exercise again quite common.
                                    jim