Illegitimacy and fathers name

[Countryquine]

I can think of two instances in my family tree where a child has been illegitimate, registered with the mothers surname, and no indication of the father.  Later when both appeared in the next census, they came under their fathers surnames, and they named their fathers on their marriage certificates.  Births were 1855 and 1873.

Was it normal for children to take on their alleged fathers surnames as they grew up?

[Forfarian]

Was it normal for children to take on their alleged fathers surnames as they grew up?

Yes.

[Countryquine]

Was it normal for children to take on their alleged fathers surnames as they grew up?

Yes.

Thanks.

I have always been a bit wary of accepting the alleged fathers as such, since they were not named on the birth certificates.  One father was, according to the family story, killed in an accident before the birth of his child, while the other was alive and went on some years later to marry someone else. 

I would assume then, that when registering a birth in that period, if the parents were not married, then the registrar would only enter the mothers name, and the fathers name would not come into the equation, irrespective of whether the father accepted paternity or was indeed around to dispute it.

I am aware that illegitimacy was an accepted fact in NE Scotland around this time, despite the disapproval of the Church (there is a book by Prof Marjory Harper on this subject, which I think I will track down and re-read).

Thanks

[Forfarian]

I would assume then, that when registering a birth in that period, if the parents were not married, then the registrar would only enter the mothers name, and the fathers name would not come into the equation, irrespective of whether the father accepted paternity or was indeed around to dispute it.

Spot on.

The regulations stipulated that the name of the father of an illegitimate child could only be recorded on the child's birth certificate if the father accompanied the mother when she went to register the birth and signed the certificate alongside her.

[Guy Etchells]

Spot on.

The regulations stipulated that the name of the father of an illegitimate child could only be recorded on the child's birth certificate if the father accompanied the mother when she went to register the birth and signed the certificate alongside her.

Only from 1875
Cheers
Guy

[GR2]

If the minutes of the kirk session for the parish are available, it is always worth looking there for fathers of illegitimate children. Newspapers/court records can mention names too if litigation was necessary to get maintenance.

[Johnf04]

I've found fathers' details in Sherrif Court paternity decrees, in Ayrshire; and also in Ayrshire, fathers' details in Catholic baptisms. The births were registered under the mothers' maiden names.

[Lodger]

Spot on.

The regulations stipulated that the name of the father of an illegitimate child could only be recorded on the child's birth certificate if the father accompanied the mother when she went to register the birth and signed the certificate alongside her.

Only from 1875
Cheers
Guy

I always assumed that it was from 1855 here in Scotland? Can you tell me where you found the 1875 ruling please Guy?
Thanks
Lodger.

[trish1120]

It may come down too if they knew who their Fathers were and had contact with them.