registering a birth in the 1860's

[Sasbear]

Hi,
I would like to know if it was possible to register a child's birth in 1860 with the father's surname and mmn correct but they didn't marry till a few months after the birth of child?  I wondered if when registering a birth, the parent/s had to provide evidence of some sort?
Thanks for any help

Sarah

[maddys52]

I assume you're talking about England or Wales? As I understand it there was no requirement to provide evidence of a marriage. The information was simply provided to the Registrar (prior to 1874 the person registering the birth had to find the Registrar - they didn't necessarily have a stipulated place where registrations occurred). Unless the couple was personally known to the Registrar he would have no reason to question the information provided. Who was the informant on the birth you have?

[Sasbear]

Thanks - Yes a UK birth. I haven't sent for the certificate yet. Child was born about 3 months before the wedding took place, but is registered with father's name.

[sparrett]

Depending where the birth took place, you may be able to locate a baptism record.
There might be more details on it.

Some here may be able to help if you gave more details.

Sue

[Milliepede]

I have one where parents claim to be married on the birth certificate of a son but never were and never did.
Information was taken at face value. 

[MollyC]

And I have just been sorting one where the married parents decided to disappear from Sheffield to Manchester for 12 years or so, using the wife's surname.  Children 2,3 and 4 out of 5 were registered with the correct mmn AND the same surname, not the father's surname.  Anything is possible!

[JenB]

I would like to know if it was possible to register a child's birth in 1860 with the father's surname and mmn correct but they didn't marry till a few months after the birth of child? 

Yes definitely. My great great grandmother registered the birth of her first child using her married surname, and went on to actually marry the father the very next day.

[AntonyMMM]

No proof of marriage (or name) would be required - the information is taken as the informant gives it. That is still largely the case today.

I would like to know if it was possible to register a child's birth in 1860 with the father's surname and mmn correct but they didn't marry till a few months after the birth of child? 

You are however misunderstanding how birth registration works  - In E/W the child was given no surname at all until 1969, so the entries are INDEXED under the surname of one or both parents depending on who is named on the entry, and their (claimed) marital status.

It is impossible to determine what is on the entry with absolute accuracy from the indexes alone.

[jonwarrn]

I haven't sent for the certificate yet.

You can get an instant digital image from the GRO for just £3
Possibly this one?

BRADSHAW, MATILDA       
Mother's Maiden Surname: GUEST 
GRO Reference: 1860  M Quarter in SHEFFIELD  Volume 09C  Page 279