Birth Registration in two places

[lynnemccubbin]

I have a birth of a boy in 1926 at the Royal Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh, but his birth was registered in Old Kilpatrick (the mother lived in Clydebank) and at George Square, Glasgow. Does anyone know why this would occur? No father on the birth reg. and the woman never married (death reg. states she was single but living with a friend who registered the birth). I've looked for a marriage and death of the boy up to present day but to no avail so he may have left Scotland but possibly adopted out (although legal adoption had not been implemented then)? This woman's whole life has been a mystery from her birth to her death! Could do with a fresh perspective as I'm tearing my hair out with this one!

Cheers

[AndrewP]

Hi Lynne,

I take it you meant George Square, Edinburgh rather than Glasgow.

There was a period of time where if the birthplace was away from the normal home district, then the birth would be registered at the birthplace district registration office, then that information was transcribed back in the home district. If you look at the Old Kilpatrick birth certificate, it should say something to the effect of "transcribed at Old Kilpatrick, district of birth: George Square, Edinburgh".

The most common reasons for a birth away from home were:

• birth at a maternity home or hospital
• birth at the maternal grandmother's home (often done for a mother's first child)

I have 15 transcribed birth records in my family tree research. These are from 1868 to 1933.

All the best,

AndrewP

[lynnemccubbin]

Thanks Andrew, but it was definitely George Square, Glasgow - that's why I was confused. I can see why the birth would be registered in two places but why not in the birth area is beyond me. I don't recall the Old Kilpatrick reg. saying anything about a transcription but I'll re-check that when I'm next at my local centre.

Cheers

[AndrewP]

Hi Lynne,

The Royal Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh was in the George Square registration district, Edinburgh. Glasgow has its George Square, but it was never a registration district name. I would suggest re-checking that one. You can see the index entry on the ScotlandsPeople website. The certificate itself could only be viewed in the ScotlandsPeople centre or one of its outposts in Scotland, not online yet as it is a birth less than 100 years old.

All the best,

Andrew

[lynnemccubbin]

You are right it was George Square, Edinburgh! Must have been sleeping when I transcribed that. Well at least that's one less mystery for my lady!

Many thanks again

Cheers
Lynne