No. 4 on BC

[icustosi]

I have my grandmother's BC 1880, Daisy Helen White, that has the father's name, William McIntyre, crossed out and a no. 4 written over the top of his name. Her mother's name was Agnes White,  no occupation. Can anyone explain this to me
 Thank you Val Newman

[majm]

Hi there,

Are you referring to the GRO certificate for Daisy Helen WHITE, reference Volume 6d, page 445.
So is column 4 on the pre-printed document headed "Name and surname of father".   If so, you will notice that the baby is actually not given a surname on that document. But it is indexed under mum's maiden name of WHITE.  That suggests that Daisy's mum and dad were not formally married to each other when Daisy was born, and that dad had not accompanied mum to register Daisy's birth, so the registrar had written dad's name and then had to strike it when he realised the couple were not formally married to each other.  In that era, babys' birth registrations with GRO did not actually provide for baby to have a surname recorded for them.   

Hope that helps,

JM

[Guy Etchells]

I have my grandmother's BC 1880, Daisy Helen White, that has the father's name, William McIntyre, crossed out and a no. 4 written over the top of his name. Her mother's name was Agnes White,  no occupation. Can anyone explain this to me
 Thank you Val Newman

Without seeing what you are referring too I would suggest it is correction number 4.
These are called numbered corrections and indicates an error made & corrected, as the register entry was being filled out.
Cheers
Guy

[icustosi]

Yes, my grandmother was illegitimate and raised by another couple from a very small baby.
 Thank you for your help
 Val Newman