What does it mean to not register a birth (circa 1845 Essex)

[stanmapstone]

Even though civil registration was introduced in 1837, it wasn't until 1874 that registration of a birth became compulsory.

The first Statistician of the GRO  Dr. William Farr (1807–1883) estimated a 5% non-registration rate for births 1837-76, declining from  6.9% in 1841-50 to 1.8% in 1861-70.

As for compulsion see
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=750476.msg5985830#msg5985830

[jonwarrn]

The death certificate of a child would probably have the father's name and occupation on it.
In the occupation column it usually says son/daughter of .....

There seems to be no birth reg of Robert (bap 26 Sep 1840, Takeley, as Potters - from Family Search)
Similarly, Ellen, if she is another child of your Sophia (bap 3 July 1842, Takeley, Potters)?

The next three baptisms at Takeley on FS
James Vollers, 6 April 1843 (perhaps that may be Volters?)
William Volters, 2 April 1845
Thomas Walters, 9 Sep 1848

There is a birth of a Thomas Walters, registered Sep 1848, Dunmow
Added to the death reg of Robert Walters in 1840, I am wondering if other possible birth regs of Sophia's children may also be as Walters - hence my asking about James, March 1843, and William, March 1845, in Dunmow.
There are only those four BMD entries for the name Walters in Dunmow district at that time.
John

EDIT But if Sophia's husband was no longer around, and Robert and the others appear to be illegitmate, you would be unlikely to see Mr Valters name on Robert's death certificate.

[BePauline]

Wow! Yes, perhaps James and William were registered as Walters instead of Valters. We have requested Thomas's birth reg so hopefully that one will be found.

We have also been using Sophia's maiden name to find the birth registrations but perhaps she gave her married name instead.

Ellen and Robert were two of the birth certificates my sister has requested (but which couldn't be found) as well as William (born and died 1839 in London)(certificate found and with the father's name on, so we assume he was alive then).

Pity the 1851 census for Takely and Dunmow are missing. That might have given some clues too.
 

[BePauline]

Thank you Stanmapstone and Groom for the info about registrations. All,very interesting and useful.