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Wording of birth certificate

Wording of birth certificate

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 12:27PM GMT
Classification: Query
I am hoping that someone can help me regarding the wording of a birth certificate. In the following I have changed the names from those that actually appear on the certificate.

This certificate is for John Smith born in 1935. It shows his father. Peter Smith, and his mother, Jane Smith formerly Jones. The certificate is dated 1953 and states that it is 'as per declaration dated 1953'.

The birth of John Smith had originally been registered in 1935 with the name John Jones and the mother shown as Jane Jones with no father's name given.

I know that Peter Smith and Jane Jones married in 1953. I am assuming from the information on the 1953 certificate that Peter Smith and Jane Jones had been in a relationship between 1934/5 and 1953 and that the parents were regularising the registration of the birth of their son.

The only alternative to my assumption, that I can think of, was that Peter Smith was not the father of John and that Peter was adopting John ( by then age 18) at the time of his marriage to his mother, Jane,

I think that my first assumption is likely to be correct but would appreciate comments on this. Surely the wording would be different if it was an adoption.

David

Re: Wording of birth certificate

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 1:08PM GMT
Classification: Query
Without knowing where in the world the births occurred, it might be difficult for anyone to respond with any certainty.

-- board admin.

Re: Wording of birth certificate

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 6:25PM GMT
Classification: Query
Assuming the birth entry was amended after the date of marriage then it looks like a re-registration after marriage to legitimise a child.

By doing so they were declaring that Peter Smith was the child's natural father.

Re: Wording of birth certificate

Posted: 13 Feb 2015 7:22PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you for your reply which confirms what I thought but was no completely sure of.
David

Re: Wording of birth certificate

Posted: 28 Feb 2015 12:09AM GMT
Classification: Query
I still think it is possible that Peter Smith was officially adopting the boy.

You should look into relevant court records for adoptions and name changes to confirm this.
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