Who is Richard RIVERS?

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by kiterunner

This is Harriet and George in 1861 but it doesn't prove things one way or the other:
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageview...ce&pId=5688332

We don't even have proof that the Harriet with Bertha in 1851 was actually her mother. Erith parish registers are held by Bexley Archives. While the parish church was being restored in the late Victorian period there was a fire. Most of the records were salvaged, but there are problems:


https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageview...rce&pId=130793


I've looked from the above image to the end of the book (up to 1829). All that survives is four surnames per page and residence. No sign of a Harris so far. I don't know when the records were restored to even know if the entries are in chronological order.

[Phoenix]

The 1830 to 1844 register is in slightly better condition. I've gone up to the end of 1833 with no sign of a Harris:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageview...rce&pId=130793

[KiwiChris]

Thanks for looking, I dont believe that Richard RIVERS actually existed. I am guessing that Bertha HARRIS/RIVERS was actually unmarried, and you have probably sorted out her famiy history, and that probably Richard someone else was actually the father, presumably with plenty of resources to keep Bertha in some style, and educate Arthur!