Thanks again Chris - particularly for a quick newspaper search - how and where do you go about this (and which part of the newspaper?)

I realised that a midwife at that time would be an experienced woman (and having had 5 of her own children and helped with a few of her daughters births she would have been experienced) - just found it amusing that she changed her 'occupation' accordingly.

Interesting ideas regarding why no paternity suit. Think her family were reasonably well off (Masons/ builders) so no doubt helped. Wonder if she took in a 'lodger' when husband died! Shortly after the birth Hannah left the area with her children and brother and sister and relocated to Wigan Lancashire. In 1879 she remarried a Wigan widower.