Hi, JM,
All the evidence that we have points to it; First, the b.certs for the last 2 children (the illegitimate and the previous legitimate one) both registered bdm nsw show date and place of marriage and previous issue; previous issue shown as 2 males 2 females living for the legit, 2 males 3 females living for the illegit (tallies); only discrepancy is that the legit one is a year out as to year of marriage. Both precisely name the father, occupation, birthplace; and both gethis age wrong - the legit one by 4 years, the illegit one by one year. The informant for both births is the mother; the legit child is present, the illegit is not. The legit child's birth is registered one month and few days after the birth; the illegit babe has birth and death registered on the same day, a day after the date of death. The signature of the informant on the illegit birth and death cert varies from itself although it was signed on the same day; it bears similarities with the legit birth cert signature but Mary seems to have had a habit of changing the way she made her "M". As to husband committing the children - I guess if his wife deserted him and he had to work, there might not have been too many options; the eldest child, a boy, was then 9. Shortly after the committal he advertised that he would not be responsible for Mary's debts. Children released back into his care 9 months later.
