It's a wise man who kens his ane faither

The title in Standard English is "It’s a wise man who knows his own father". As genealogy researchers we must accept that the information regarding parentage on a birth certificate is correct. Modern methods of blood tests and DNA testing can provide a definite answer but what happened in the mists of time? I am sure that in the vast majority of cases the recorded parents are true. However there are instances where parentage is disputed by the individual who appears on the birth certificate as the father or in the case of an illegitimate birth the mother attempts to have the father’s name included on the birth certificate. In the period of statutory registration the mother (or her father) had to apply to the local Sheriff court. Although not fully conclusive the Sheriff would make his decision on the balance of probability according to the facts presented by both parties. Should his decision accept that the alleged father was the father an instruction would be given to the local registrar to insert the father’s name on the birth certificate. There also cases where the husband of the mother would dispute that he was the father and request that his name be taken off the birth certificate. If this was the case the mother could be charged and face criminal prosecution. This was not as uncommon as we might think.  I have found a number of cases particularly during the period of both the 1st and 2nd World Wars. These were often clear cut cases where the husband was able to prove that he was on active service at the time of conception and not in the country.