Birth Certificate Query

[sarahofford]

I may have the wrong person, but if someone could advise I would be very grateful!!

I think I have tracked down the death certificate of my ancestor but I am not sure. The death certificate shows that Joseph Golledge died in November 1864. I have the birth certificate for his son (also Joseph Golledge) who was born in June 1865. Clearly it is perfectly plausable that he was born after his father's death, but my question is would it be noted on the birth certificate that the father was deceased at the time of birth? Under father is says 'Joseph Golledge' and under occupation of father is says 'Farm Labourer'.

Just in case it helps, on Joseph Golledge seniors death certificate it also says that his occupation was 'Farm Labourer' and both events were registered in Evercreech, Somerset. I also have Joseph Golledge Jnr's mother's death certificate (dated 1888), which shows her occupation as 'Widow of Joseph Golledge a Labourer'. I also can see Joseph Golledge Jnr and his mother Caroline Golledge in the 1871 census as being in the Shepton Mallet workhouse, with his mother listed as a widow.

I would be very grateful for any help!

Many Thanks

Sarah

[nanny jan]

Hi,

Who was the informant on Joseph's death certificate?



Nanny Jan

[stanmapstone]

If a father of a legitimate baby had died before his baby was born then Column 6 would read something on the lines of "Railway worker (deceased)."
http://home.clara.net/dixons/Certificates/births.htm#COL6

Stan

[avm228]

The birth certificate ought to have marked the father as deceased (if he was) but as we all know there are lots of things which according to the rules ought to happen and yet do not happen.

I have a birth certificate for an ancestor whose purported father, the mother's husband, was most certainly dead (actually he'd been in his grave for over 3 years, so that brings up its own issues ) but was named on the certificate without being identified as deceased. In that case the mother probably declined to mention his death so as to avoid awkward questions on timing, but as with all certificates they're only as good as the information provided by the informant.

In your case there was nothing to hide, but nevertheless the fact of the death might simply have been overlooked in the registration interview.

Anna

[angelfish58]

Are there deaths for any other Joseph Golledges before 1871 when Caroline states she was a widow?

[stanmapstone]

The information on  certificates is only as good as that supplied by the people involved   The civil registration system in England and Wales is  'informant driven' that is the registrar/priest can only put what he is told. There is a penalty of perjury if the information is wilfully false, but it is fairly common for 'deceased' not to be entered when it should have been, and the occupation is what is given, there is no way for it to be checked as accurate.
The operative word is "willfully",
From the 1836 Act.
 XLI. And be it enacted, That every Person who shall wilfully make or cause to be made, for the Purpose of being inserted in any Register of Birth, Death, or Marriage, any false Statement touching any of the Particulars herein required to be known and registered, shall be subject to the same Pains and Penalties as if he were guilty of Perjury.
 


Stan

[sarahofford]

Hello,

Thanks to all for their help. I have searched for other deaths between 1860 and 1871 and I could not find any other Joseph Golledges. Strangely, the informant on the death certificate it Joseph's mother?

Many Thanks to all

Sarah

[Sparkle26]

Hi

There are other children with Caroline in the 1871 & 1881 Census

John Golledge age 9 in 71 age 19 in 81
Anne Golledge age 7 in 71 age 17 in 81
Joseph Golledge age 5  (He is not in the 1881 census)
Julia Golledge age 1 in 71 age 8 in 81

Julia
Date of birth 13 may 1869  Baptised 8 aug 1869
Shepton mallet    Ss Peter & Paul Reg No 1523
Mothers Name Caroline Golledge  No Father Mentioned
Abode Union Workhouse   File No 4538

Julia Golledge
Burial 20th July 1871    Batcombe St Mary the Virgin   Reg No 126
Age 2 Abode Batcombe    File No 4572 

Julia
Baptised  29 Dec 1872    Ss Peter & Paul   Shepton Mallet
Mothers Name Caroline Golledge    No father Mentioned 
Abode Union House of the Parish of Batconmbe
File No 4538
 
Marriage    Shepton Mallet   1861 Dec qtr 5c 1033
Joseph GOLLIDGE
Caroline WHITE

Claire 

[Sparkle26]

Hi

On the 1871 census next to Caroline's name I think it looks like a M for married not a W for widow

Claire