How do I trace my Great Grandmother - no father added to Birth Certificate.

Shewee | 11:52 Sat 22nd Aug 2009 | Family Life

4 Answers

I have my Granfather's birth certificate who was born in 1919 but there's no father's name on it, just the mothers. I pressume she wasn't married. How can I find more information on her as I have no idea how old she was at the time of giving birth or if she ever married. I've looked on the 1901 Census and found a family from the area stated but as this only applies upto 1901 she may not be the same person. It's a can of worms! I've also got my Grandfather's marriage certificate which again shows no father's name. Help!!!

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Mr Veritas

Have you tried the 1911 census?
As this is closer to your GdFather's birthdate his Mother may appear on it,which may help you.
As to finding your GdFather's Father that's a whole seperate(and far more difficult) matter.

Shewee

Question Author

Thanks and have just tried the 1911 census and she's 14 yrs old and still in the same family house. However I still don't know if this is her. How can I check? Or do I presume that the chances are she'll have stayed there for most of her life.

Dr-Faust

There are a number of possibilities - the worst for you is that your great grandmother didn't know the father, so the search will go nowhere. However, it is possible that the father was identified through a court case for financial support, so you could check the local records. Also, the name of your grandfather may have a clue in it. My great grandfather had an illegitimate son, but included his surname (Moore) as a middle name. Did your grandfather have siblings? If so they may have the same father, and there may have been a marriage since your grandfather's birth.

dot.haukes

Have you tried speaking to any relatives that may have known your grandfather? It is possible that someone inyour family knew who your great grandmother had been seeing in 1918/1919, you must realise that it could well be that her sweetheart died during the final days of the First World War.
As suggested above, what about later children?
Have you no idea where she is buried? her stone may be a vital confirmation of her date of birth, can anyone in your family recall visiting her grave/

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