Were babies of prostitutes usually baptised or registered?

[AnnaNZ]

Hello all
I am looking at a woman living variously in St Pancras (workhouse), around 'The Mint' and Camberwell, London 1850's, 1860's. Very poor and rough areas at that time I believe.
Her address when she visited the workhouse was variously 'Tramp, Casual, Casual, No address'.
Her occupation 'Lace and hosiery, washing, laundry, no occupation'.
She had a child born in 1856 and another in 1867 and no birth or baptism can be found for these.
My guess is she was working as a prostitute, likely a widow.
I am wondering have other people located baptisms and birth registrations for the babies of prostitutes from this era?
This woman was likely from Europe as well and possibly could not read and write.

[jorose]

It would be possible that registrations were missed, but it's also possible the children were registered but not when/where you expect or not in the name you expect

Baptisms might have happened later in life, or been done by the workhouse or a foster parent and therefore have less accurate information. Births might have been in completely different names because she called herself Mrs (biofather's name) at the time, etc.

It would be worth checking St Pancras workhouse records to see if there are birth records relating to the children.

[Bookbox]

Children who were born actually in the workhouse rarely escaped civil registration at this period, since the registration service was closely linked to the poor-law administration. The local registrar sometimes doubled as a poor-law officer, and his premises were often close by.

It is possible that the child's birth was indexed under a different surname (e.g. the father’s, as suggested above), or that the mother’s surname was misspelt.

If you post details of the person you are looking for, someone may be able to help. Without names/dates/locations there is little that can be done.

[Milliepede]

I am wondering have other people located baptisms and birth registrations for the babies of prostitutes from this era?

I'm not sure how you would know the mothers "profession" was that on a baptism or birth registration 

As suggested if you post the names of the woman and her children we can have a check for you.

[Roobarb]

It seems quite an assumption that she was a prostitute, not all women who fell on hard times resorted to that.

[BumbleB]

It seems quite an assumption that she was a prostitute, not all women who fell on hard times resorted to that.

I agree - please don't make such an assumption.   

[Siely]

How can we tell how accurate a census is ?

[Roobarb]

Do you mean in terms of occupation? Or marital status/age? As far as age is concerned I've often found them to be wrong for various reasons.

For any of the information, you would have to check against other records to try and determine the accuracy.

[Ruskie]

I agree with all of the above replies.

Knowing some more details will help, specifically her name and the names of the children. You obviously have some facts as you know her occupation/s and where she lived at various times.

What led you to this woman? Presumably you have arrived at her via one of her children?

What leads you to think she was from Europe? A widow? Illiterate?