Suffolk Bastardy Files

[valerie kehoe]

Woud anyone know about the Bastardy Files for Suffolk?  I would like to find my 3xgreat grandfather George Mortimer's REAL father - as he was born 5 years after his mother was widowed.  His baptism entry at Ashfield-cum-Thorpe church 1798 recorded him as 'bastard son' of Anne Mortimer.  There was also another 'bastard son' born 2 years earlier 1796  James Moss Mortimer - suggesting perhaps that a Mr Moss was involved!

Thanks Valerie

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi Valerie

The modern Child Protection Agency is nothing new, as our ancestors were subject to rigorous examination by the Overseers of the Poor to force the mother of a bastard child to name the biological father or alternately a father for that child.
They would then make him legally responsible for paying for its birth and upkeep as the parish did not want to take responsibility for an unmarried mother and her child who were likely to be dependant on parish relief. (Before the baby was born, she would often have been moved on in 'the dead of night' to the next parish by the constable.)

Bastardy papers are likely to be in the 'Overseers of the Poor' Documents in the 'Parish Chest' - these should now be in the Local County Records Office - most probbly they have already been transcribed and indexed.

Chris in 1066Land  

[valerie kehoe]

Thank you Chris. I will try and follow that up with the Suffolk County Records Office. Thank you - Valerie

[Bambino]

Hi Valerie
Just seen your interest in Bastardy files for Suffolk.  I was at the Ipswich RO last week and they have a load of brown index boxes containing cards, by surname which have details of name and parish and type of bond.  You then call down the originals from the strongroom.  They were not transcribed as far as I could see.

I had luck with one of mine, but not the other!  Sorry I did not see your message before - I would have been happy to look up for you.  Maybe if you contact ipswich, they would at least look in the index cards for you?  Their no. is 01473 583000 or you can email queries to ipswich.ro@libher.suffolkcc.gov.uk.  I found some members of staff more helpful and friendly than others .....!

Good luck
Bambino

[valerie kehoe]

Thank you Bambino,  

I have just taken your advice and have written off to Ipswich.

I had written to a Suffoll Records Office before -but with no luck. I can't  actually remember what they said -but it was impossible for me to go there in person.  Let's hope I get somewhere this time! (I'm in W.Australia)

Thanks again - Valerie

[Joy Dean]

 :)Valerie, I have emailed the records office at Ipswich and always had helpful replies, so I hope that you do, too!
Joy

[valerie kehoe]

Thanks for your interest - but unfortunately Ipswich have said the files haven't survived.  No suggestion was made to try anywhere else.  Regards Valerei

[william james]

Hi Valerie
I don't  know if this would be of any help to you, ( its a long way off yet )  but i plan to go to Suffolk in August if you let me know what you want i will look for you.
I am going to the Bury St Edmond's office.
Sorry its so long to wait but it is a seven hour drive for me.
Wj.
P S i have a twin brother in W A.

[JenniG]

I'm really sorry to but in here, but this subject has suddenly come close to me.

My grandfather Laurence John was always told that his mother died giving birth to him in November 1881 and his  father failed to register his birth in his distress.  He remarried 2 years later.

A distant relative threw up the theory that Laurence was not his "mother's" child but a bastard fathered on the woman who later became his "father's" second wife.  It was, as far as we’re aware, speculation on her part based on an entry on the 1891 census.

I have today received from the GRO a birth certificate for a Laurance John and yes, his mother is shown as the second wife, Clara, with an unnamed father.  I know from the 1881 census that Clara was working as a servant in Suffolk to someone whose christian names were John Laurence (that may be a coincidence so I'll post no surnames in case there's descendants of his).

I'm now confused and a little saddened.  Poor Clara was never able to acknowledge her son as her own, only as a stepson.  The fact that Laurance was "responsible" for his "mother's" death also apparently led to a division in the family.

Legally, what is my surname? The one my grandfather used or the one he was born under?  Is there any way of tracing who was his biological father?  I've checked the records on A2A for paternity suits but found nothing that matches.  The bastardy records mentioned here are totally new to me - what do they consist of and could they help me?