Forest of Dean FHT Forum - - Sarah Head's father

Sarah Head's father (reply)

Jane777 — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 20:45:02 +0000

Hi Jefff,

Sorry I did not attach my query to another of my previous 'threads'. I thought it would be easier as a separate/new question.

Yes, I was asking if anyone had an ideas as to who Sarah Heads father was.

I just put the details down that were on the birth certificate. No fathers name, so nothing put.

Thank you for your reply.
Erica

Sarah Head's father (reply)

Jefff — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 15:26:55 +0000

Hi Erica,
first, can I mention that for continuity and ease of reading, both now and for future researchers, it might have been easier to attach this query to your previous related thread
http://forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=43453
secondly, what exactly is your query ?

My reaction to the Birth Certificate information is:
1. shouldn't there be a line where Sarah's father is named ?. I presume there is such a line, and it's been left blank, and your query is who is he ?; but thats just my assumption and would be gratefull if you could please clarify. Then again perhaps in these early days they wern't using standardised forms, and the Registrar recorded just what he's told ?
2. on the face of what you've written it looks to me to be a clear case of a child being born illegitimately to a mother who either doesn't know the father, or has no desire for his name to be placed on official record.
3. Not unusually for that time in a rural area, Sarah's mother Maria Head is unable to write her name, having signed by marking with an "x".

Sorry I cannot be more helpfull, J

Sarah Head's father

Jane777 — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 14:29:48 +0000

Hi,

You have all been so brilliant that I was wondering if anyone could help me with the father of Sarah Head.

I have now received a copy of her birth certificate and the details are:

Registration district- Northleach.
Birth in the Sub-district of - Bibury and Chedworth.
County of Glocestershire.
Born - Twentysixth of June 1841 in Southrop
Name - Sarah Head.
Mother - Maria Head.
Informant - the mark of Maria Head X Mother, Southrop
Registered - Sixth July 1841
Registrar - _ Hathaway.

I know that I have previously been given a lot of this information however someone with 'a trained eye' might see something in the certificate that I have not. I think I am clutching at straws!

Looking forward to hearing from you.

THANKING you in anticipation.

Erica