Liz You are not alone with family mysteries many of us have some too . In schooldays I had
to make a family tree , my Mum was a very
honest , Christian lady but invented a fair few details
for me---I had no suspicions at all. Her stepfather
appears on her marriage cert. as Dad. In 1901 I have
found him listed as "son " using his stepfather's name
being made welcome in a new family. In my Dad's
family they looked after a little neighbour when Mum
died with TB . Her Dad " paid " & then died but they
kept her as " adopted " no enquiries from authorities,
& of course there was no legal adoption till 1928.
Good Luck with your hunt . MM