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Duplicate Birth Registration

Posted by John Bennett on 1/5/2022, 7:25 pm

Michael R Westcott, b.7/8/1949 in Barnstaple was the brother in law of my 2nd cousin, once removed.
His death was registered in Q1/1990 in Barnstaple.

He was born before his mother Betty P Jury married his assumed father, Sidney Albert Westcott in Q3/1950 in Barnstaple.

Michaels birth was registered with his assumed father's surname in Q3/1949, but strangely his birth was registered again in Q4/1950.
my initial assumption was that there were two infant Michael R Westcott children, one of whom had died and the next born infant had been given the same name.

However, no death registration has been found, but significantly, the birth date recorded on the death registration for Michael R in 1990 is relevant to the first of the 2 birth registrations.

My theory is that the mother registered the birth in the correct period in 1949 and with the father's permission to use the Wescott surname, and that she illegally re-registered the child in 1950, after her marriage in an attempt to regularise an illegitimate birth.

I am reluctant to add to my exceedingly large pile of GRO certificates to prove, or part prove, my theory.

I would be exceedingly grateful to hear from any member who might have have an alternative explanation for this strange occurrence?

John Bennett

Re: Duplicate Birth Registration

Posted by Sally Topliss on 1/5/2022, 10:35 pm, in reply to "Duplicate Birth Registration"

It is also possible that the original birth was not registered at all in 1949 but they waited until after the marriage in 1950 and then registered the birth. In 1874 it was compulsory within 6 weeks. In 1953 there was a penalty if registration was not done within 6 weeks. I am not sure what the law was in 1949/50.
Sally

Re: Duplicate Birth Registration

Posted by Sally Topliss on 1/5/2022, 9:43 pm, in reply to "Duplicate Birth Registration"

Hi John,
It appears from looking at the entry for Sept. Q. 1949 that the birth was missed from the GRO index for that quarter. At the bottom of the page where it should have been, it says "Michael R Westcott see D. 50" This is Dec 1950 which is obviously when it was actually registered because it was missed off 1949 Sept. quarter. So no need to get more certificates!! Anyway that's my theory.
Sally

Re: Duplicate Birth Registration

Posted by John Bennett on 2/5/2022, 9:21 am, in reply to "Re: Duplicate Birth Registration"

Thank you Sally for your rapid response(s),

Your theory makes sense, but it would have made more sense for the Q4/1950 index to have had a note to say 'Actual birth occurred in Q3/1949'.

Regards,

John

Re: Duplicate Birth Registration

Posted by Karen Newman on 2/5/2022, 11:21 am, in reply to "Re: Duplicate Birth Registration"

That may be true, John, but it's how the GRO Index shows late registrations:

the actual registration, with another entry for when it should have been registered, referring back to the actual registration

hence

Births Sep 1949
Westcott Michael R Jury Barnstaple 7a see D'50

Births Dec 1950
Westcott Michael R Jury Barnstaple 7a 252

Re: Duplicate Birth Registration

Posted by John Bennett on 3/5/2022, 1:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Duplicate Birth Registration"

Thank you Karen,
I hadn't realised that was normal practice. However, I still consider that a cross-reference should also pertain.

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