Birth registration rules in 1901 UK

[coombs]

Keeping many, very detailed records for their very nosey and determined descendants generations later was not on their list of priorities. 

[iolaus]

My great grandfather was born 1900 - he was registered as being born on the 22nd January (he was registered 42 days after that) he was actually born on the 18th

I know he was born on the 18th -a) his baptism record shows the 18th (lie to the government but don't lie to god) and b) he told me - apparently he discovered this in his 20s when he first saw his birth certificate and his mother confessed - always celebrated his birthday on the 18th - but wrote the 22nd on forms so his mum wouldn't get into trouble

[iolaus]

Thank you, everyone, for all the information - it’s so useful.

How common was it for a child’s birth to go completely unregistered in the mid 1870s?  Was that even possible?  I haven’t been able to find my ancestor even though I’ve tried everything I can think of - different spellings, sounds like, searching different years, different areas, etc.

She obviously doesn’t want to be found!

It may also be worth trying as a male

My great great grandmother was baptised as a girl Emily at 2-3 weeks old, week later her parents registered a birth born the same day as Emily but a boy Henry - no record of Henry's baptism or death

The conclusion I reached was trying to say 'Enry' and 'Emly' in a broad west country accent and the registrar mishearing

That said a photo of Emily does look scarily like my brother in drag