Tiverton Union Workhouse Devon

[suzyblue]

All the records for this workhouse were destroyed in the war and I am trying to trace details of Walter John Denner Wester who was born there  19 Sep 1868 to Mary Ann Western (who I believe was born in Halberton Devon in 1846).  The father's name on the birth certificate was left blank but I would like to find out more about Mary's time in the workhouse.  Any suggestions??

[rosie99]

It is possible that Mary Ann was just admitted to the workhouse hospital for the birth. 

Does the name Denner appear in the family prior to his birth or could that be a clue to the father.

[osprey]

no father named on baptism 10 July 1870 in Tiverton, Walter John Denner Western son of Mary Anne, domestic servant.

The 1881 census he is with the same family as on the 1871 census but there is another Western, Albert born Taunton, as well. How is he related?

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27X-C8KQ

[spendlove]

Various census Walter and Albert are living in house of James Langabeer and his wife Jane nee Western.

What relation was Mary Ann Western to Jane?

It would appear that Walter may have been born in Workhouse, but not resident.

Have you purchased birth certificates for the 2 children?

[suzyblue]

Walter was born Tiverton Workhouse and Albert in Taunton, Somerset and they had the same mother. James' wife Jane was a Western and the aunt of Mary.  I do have both boys birth certificates.  Apparently there used to be such a thing as Bastardy Orders and I have seen some from the 1700's which list the father's name and the fact he has to pay money to the mother (also named).  I am now trying to find the ones for the period for Walter in Devon and Albert in Somerset.
•   Bastardy order adjudging William Marks of Woodbury to be the father of a male child born in Ottery St. Mary on August 13th last past to Mary Russell of Ottery St. Mary, single woman, and setting out terms for maintenance payments.
I will post below what I have discovered so far as I cannot work out how to include an attachment.
Many thanks for all your comments

[suzyblue]

I have now worked out how to add attachment and here is what I have so far discovered - but I am no further on finding fathers of Walter and Albert (who is my husband's grandfather).   We have done DNA and that is how we have managed to get Mary's ancestry.

[rosie99]

I think that if the family are bringing the child up without claiming help from the parish you will not generally find a Bastardy order. 

[suzyblue]

That's a good point Rosie - I was not too sure how long exactly she had kept the babies but I know its only a short time.  Such a shame as this would have been an excellent way to get the name of the fathers!!

[suzyblue]

Another thought does anyone know how to search for an address in the census - rather than a name - in Ancestry or Find my Past.  I would like to find out the inmates at the Tiverton Union Workhouse in the 1871 census