Who was the informant on Emily's death certificate? As I said, obviously that person thought Joseph and Rachel were her parents.
Were her parents witnesses at her wedding? If they were that would show that they were happy to be thought of as her parents. Wondering also if there is a will for Joseph and/or Rachel which might mention Emily as their daughter - or not!
I think you're right and the truth will never be known. Seems odd that Richard did not put her down but I suppose he was so much older than she was and would, perhaps, have remembered that she was not the natural-born child (that is, if she wasn't!).
Did Samuel WILD stay in contact with the family?
Judith