Genealogy Chat

I have two brothers born in St Mary Newington Workhouse in 1848 and 1856 but their births do not appear to have been registered. Is their anyway of proving their father? Lin

If they were born in a workhouse, its possible the children were illegitimate so even if you got the birth certificate the father might not be on it. Also I remember another thread about children born in a workhouse, where the children might of been registered with a registrar but instead the workhouse would hold the records. Is possible that the records office might have records of births for the workhouse in question. Nicola

Many children at this time were not registered. It wasn't compulsory then. But most children, even in a workhouse, were baptised. I would look for baptisms in the workhouse or in a nearby church. Chances are though that you won't find a father, but some zealous vicars did name the putative father if they thought they knew who they were!

Hi Nichola, That thought had crossed my mind, there is just one little thing that niggles at me and that is the fathers name is on one of the brothers marriage certs. but have been told he could have been made up. I have googled for the workhouse but don't seem to be able get any concrete info. only that they were actually in the said workhouse at the time of birth nothing given about mothers or fathers.

Have you tried looking on the LDS site? They have some births etc. What the names of the brothers and dates? Nicola

Wendy, unfortunately can't find any baptism records either just the births on IGI