any genealogy buffs?

[AngieK]

England. 1800's Unmarried parents. Is it possible to trace the father without a marriage cert to give clues?

My grandfather was born to an unwed mother who lived with his father (her boyfriend) and had two other siblings. They never married and eventually broke up.

I discovered the name of the father from writing to Dr. Barnado's Homes and the social worker's report had the name of the father.

Would anyone have any suggestions as to where to go with that?

Thanks.

[Thought Bandit]

Where the parents living together when a census was taken i.e.
every ten years from 1841 to 1901?

Was there anything at all put for father on the kids birth cert or that of his siblings?

Did any of the kids have a middle name which might be the surname of the father ?eg My g grandmother who was born to unwed parents in 1883 had the middle name of Griffiths which was the father's surname.

Edit: I really didn't read your question carefully :-(
Thought you said you didn't know the name of the father.
Okay, well idea about finding him on the census is the same.
If he is on the kid's birth certs it should give an occupation which can be a handy clue.
What year are you talking about and what do you know about him?
Hopefully he's not called 'John Smith' or something equally popular?