Christening - Thomas Francis Coard in 1885 St James, Defford

[crosshands]

Hi. I am researching the birth of Thomas Francis Coard.  The birth cert says he was born 18 July 1885 at Woodmancote Farm, near Defford (registration area Pershore).  The certificate shows his mother as Elizabeth Coard, housekeeper but the father's name is blank.  I believe he was christened at St James Church, Eckington Road, Defford on 31 October 1885.  My research suggests his mother's name was actually Matilda Elizabeth Coard, born in Stepney London and, perhaps, went away when she became pregnant? I have her on the census for 1881 & 1891 back in London (1891 with other illegitimate sons).
REQUEST: I can't get to Worcestershire Archives but would love to know what details are shown on the christening record - after this Thomas disappears? Perhaps he died or was adopted. I can't find any trace of him.  Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks

[avm228]

Interesting one - can’t help on the baptism, but how have you linked him with Matilda?

Who lived at Woodmancote Farm in the censuses?

[avm228]

I see there were a handful of farmers in the hamlet of Woodmancote, but no address was specifically listed as “Woodmancote Farm”:

1881: RG11/2928/63/15 and nearby pages

1891: RG12/2338/48/4 and nearby pages

It’s a long way for a young woman from London to go for a housekeeping post.

[Milliepede]

The certificate shows his mother as Elizabeth Coard, housekeeper but the father's name is blank.

Who was the informant on the birth?

[Milliepede]

(1891 with other illegitimate sons).

Where were these children born and are they younger or older than Thomas?

[Milliepede]

Is this Matilda marrying in 1887 Islington?

Matilda Elizabeth Coard
Francis Lucas

Francis as a middle name for Thomas could be significant if this is her.
They appear to have a child Frances baptised in 1887 so may be a different family 

[avm228]

There’s a Matilda Coard in 1891, wid, 40 b Mile End, a charwoman lodger at 96 Elthorne Rd.

Sons: Francis 4, John 10mo, both born Islington.

[avm228]

John was baptised 21 Dec 1890 at St Stephen’s, Upper Holloway with the annotation “illegitimate” as John Arthur Coard, son of Francis Lucas and Matilda Elizabeth of 96 Elthorne Rd.

Why illegitimate, if there was an 1887 marriage? Perhaps the fact that the occupation “laundress” is Matilda’s suggests Francis was no longer around.

[avm228]

Is this Matilda marrying in 1887 Islington?

Matilda Elizabeth Coard
Francis Lucas

Francis as a middle name for Thomas could be significant if this is her.
They appear to have a child Frances baptised in 1887 so may be a different family 

I can see banns but no marriage, perhaps explaining why she and the children later appear as Coard rather than Lucas.