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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: kiannmac on Friday 18 June 10 14:43 BST (UK)

Title: Birth Certificates
Post by: kiannmac on Friday 18 June 10 14:43 BST (UK)

Hi All,

I have found a birth certificate which lists the WD (something daughter) of Helen Gardiner who charged William Anderson with it. I know LD is "lawful daughter" can anyone shed any light on "WD"? Am I being dramatic or does the term "charged with it" insinuate something terrible?

Thanks,

Kiannmac

Title: Re: Birth Certificates
Post by: jorose on Friday 18 June 10 15:48 BST (UK)

Where and when was this certificate found? (It might be a regionally specific thing).  How bad is the handwriting - the possibility of ND for "natural daughter" comes to mind.
During some time periods pressure might be put on the mother, especially if she was on parish relief, to give the name of the father. (thinking say early 1800s and earlier in England, for example). In this case the man might be listed as "charged with bastardy" (basically it was to make him pay so the parish didn't have to support his child).

There may be records relating to this surviving in local records offices.

Title: Re: Birth Certificates
Post by: charlotteCH on Saturday 19 June 10 10:01 BST (UK)

Hullo and welcome to rootschat :) :)

Is it possible to post a scan of the BC here for us to see it?

charlotte

Title: Re: Birth Certificates
Post by: aghadowey on Saturday 19 June 10 15:33 BST (UK)

Remeber that you are not allowed to post the whole certificate for copyright reasons but are allowed to post a small porttion of the certificate for deciphering purposes.

Title: Re: Birth Certificates
Post by: charlotteCH on Sunday 20 June 10 04:57 BST (UK)

I should have said about only posting part of the cert :-[ :-[ :-[

charlotte