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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Fife => Topic started by: french on Friday 26 August 11 09:03 BST (UK)

Title: Dunfermline Sheriff Court
Post by: french on Friday 26 August 11 09:03 BST (UK)

Hi
Have come across a Ailment Decrees in this court

Janet Smeaton Canmore Street versus
Daniel Fenton weaver Golfdrum

male 4/1 No 218 29.5.1835

can anybody tell me anymore about this,

Thanks.

Title: Re: Dunfermline Sheriff Court
Post by: Alb R on Thursday 08 September 11 00:03 BST (UK)

Aliment is a scottish term for maintenance, so Janet must have been successful in court in getting maintenance payment for herself? but maybe their child. Usually most of these cases are for 'Filiation and Aliment' where the filiation part of the case is the part where the mother tries to prove who the father is first, so she can get the aliment payment for the child.
These record of Dunfermline Sheriff Court are held by the National Archives of Scotland.  As you have the names and exact date of the decree they could provide a copy of the decree, (NAS Ref No:  SC21/4/1 - Register of decrees 1830-1838).
The actual court case  will provide a lot of details about the mother's circumstances etc as statements from those involved were usually taken. In the court papers (NAS Reference: SC21/6/27 Processes 1834-5, or SC21/6/28 Processes 1835-6) these statements will be found in the 'proof'.
Hope this helps
Alb

Title: Re: Dunfermline Sheriff Court
Post by: french on Friday 09 September 11 08:01 BST (UK)

Hi
Thanks for that will get in contact with them and see if they can help.