UK baptism record question?

Question

Hi:

I have an ancestor born in Derby around 1850 who was born out of wedlock. The father was not named on the birth certificate. Is it likely that the baptism record would have named the father. The individual was definitely baptised, as found on the LDS website, but no father was named there.

How do I go about getting access to the full baptism record for St Peter, Derby.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Just a thought or two following up on Wrexy's reply. Sometimes in the original parish records the incumberant would add remarks pointing to the father some of these remarks are very pointed!  Also worth looking through the following link for Derbyshire for the local family history group who may be able to help.link is http://www.cyndislist.com/eng-dby.htm

good luck

Answer 2

If you do not live near Derby, but are close to a LDS Family History Centre, you can view the original parish church records of your ancestors on micro film, the people in these centres are very helpful, and they do not talk to you about religion, unless you raise the subject. You can find the nearest FHC to you at :-

http://www.familysearch.org/

Answer 3

I had this with a G Grandfather, born in 1847. What is in the Baptism record depended on what the Vicar was like at keeping records, also how much information he had. GG Granny had 3 illegitimates in 4 years. Vicar put father's profession as "spinster". He was nice, it's usually baseborn or b*****d. My G Grandfather was the middle son, and when he was Baptised, he had his father's surname as a middle name. Father's name is also on his marriage certificate, and there are records in the local b*****dy courts for maintenance. The Father was a neighbour to Mother in 1841 census. I haven't been able to find out if same man fathered either or both other sons, but he later married someone else.

I think it will be unlikely Father's name on Baptism record. I have checked through many during my researches, and have never found one for an illegitimate child, even when the Father is known. However don't give up, there are many other clues you can find in records.

Apparently when an unmarried girl was in labour, midwife used to put pressure on her to name the father, so that he could be made to pay maintenance, thus reducing cost to parish.

Answer 4

This is the Link to the Derbyshire Family History Society. They may be able to help you. They may even have a member who is researching the ancestors name you are looking for. No harm in contacting them.

http://www.dfhs.org.uk/

Answer 5

The Baptism records you are looking for should be in the local count record office, also look to the bastardy Bonds you might find that the overseers of the poor relief made the father pay for the child's up keep, also look at the name of the child the fathers name was some times inserted into the given names.

Good luck and good hunting

Answer 6

If the father's name is not on the LDS it's highly unlikely you'll find it on the original as that is where the LDS get their information.

If you would like to check it out yourself you need to go to the Record Office in Derby or contact them to see if they will do a search for you.  Sometimes you need to book in advance.

Details are;

Derbyshire Record Office

County Hall

Matlock

Derbyshire

DE4 3AG

Tel: [phone]  (Record Office Search Room)  

Fax: [phone]

email us at: [e-mail]

EDIT: Should also say that you will probably have to search through the microfiche or similar for the parish - the fact you know the date will be a help!

FURTHER EDIT: Why the thumbs downs???  Not sure there was anything else I could do here short of going to Derby myself?!