I have a Gt Gt Gt Grandfather, George John Holmes, born in 1844 in Westminster, London. Vine Street (near present day Milbank to be precise).
The birth was registered by his mother, Hannah Holmes (formerly Stacey). She was born in 1807 / 1812 depending which census entry you believe, although I think from parish records it was 1807, in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. The father was listed as George Holmes, a labourer and sawyer.
The problem comes that in 1851, Hannah was a widow living with her young son, George John. 1841 doesn't tell me much, but there is a George Holmes living as a labourer in that area but he is unmarried. I can't find any listing of a George Holmes marrying a Hannah Stacey during that 1837 - 1845 period, nor are there any obvious George Holmes marrying Hannah's of any name that stand out as obvious or from that area. Furthermore, I can't find an obvious death for a George Holmes in Westminster / Pancras during 1845 - 1851 although I have ordered quite a few certificates, they have so far drawn a blank.
How likely is it that Hannah could have been an unmarried mother and invented her marriage to the either fictional or perhaps real father George Holmes to hide the shame ?? It would seem a possible answer but I've not come across it before which makes me think even in the days before computerised records, this may still have been quite difficult.
What other records might I be able to check to find these people ??
Many thanks
Guy