Bastardy Orders

[LolBol]

I have a Birth Certificate for a potential ancestor, born in Hexham, Northumberland in 1872.  Neither the Father's name nor his occupation is recorded and I understand the possible concoctions of underlying reasons for this.

I have heard about Bastardy Orders, where a group of guardians in the town would decide whether to make local funds available to support a child born to an unmarried mother, who was unable to support the child herself.  Apparently, the mother had to divulge the name of the Father in order to receive the funds.  Even whilst in Labour, the attending Midwife had to try to glean the Father's name.

I have already contacted Woodhorn Colliery in Ashington, where the records, if any, would be stored.  The person I spoke to didn't seem to know too much about this subject and just advised me to go up and hopefully I might find something.  So before I take a trip up there, is anyone able to offer any hints, tips or further information on these 'orders' please?

Much appreciated, thanks.

[stanmapstone]

The Poor Law Amendment Act enabled a mother of a child born out of wedlock to apply at Petty Sessions for maintenance from its father. These applications were sent in the form of annual returns to the Clerk of the Peace. These orders can be found in Petty Session Records, which should be in the County Record Office.
See The History of Child Support http://www.childsupportanalysis.co.uk/information_and_explanation/world/history_uk.htm
Stan

[LolBol]

Many thanks for your speedy response.  Some of the links are broken but there is enough information in there to allow me to go to the next stage.

Thanks again.

[suey]

Hi, and welcome to Rootschat!

Have you taken a look at the Woodhorn Colliery website.   If you follow the link for Catalogue and put bastardy orders in the search box you get a list of the holdings...it seems you can order documents online for a few pounds.   

If you are several miles away it might save you travelling 

Suey

[davidft]

Have  you got the baptismal record for the child? If not it is worth looking for. Sometimes the father altough not named on the birth certificate is named on the baptism. This is because between 1850 and 1875 a father of an illegitimate child could not be named on the birth certificate. However there was no such restriction for baptisms


http://www.dixons.clara.co.uk/Certificates/births.htm

[LolBol]

I have already checked for Baptism Records but can't find a trace.  I checked the catalogue on the Woodhorn Colliery web page but there is no trace of Bastardy Orders on there.  Never mind.  Thanks to everyone for trying to help.

[stanmapstone]

This is because between 1850 and 1875 a father of an illegitimate child could not be named on the birth certificate.

http://www.dixons.clara.co.uk/Certificates/births.htm

Between 1837 and 1874 if the mother informed a registrar of an illegitimate child's birth and also stated a father's name, the registrar could record him as the father, although he may not have actually been the father.
This applied until The Registration Act of 1874 which stated:
"The putative father of an illegitimate child cannot be required as father to give information respecting the birth. The name, surname and occupation of the putative father of an illegitimate child must not be entered except at the joint request of the father and mother; in which case both the father and mother must sign the entry as informants" The Act came into force on 1st January 1875.


Stan

[davidft]

I have already checked for Baptism Records but can't find a trace.  I checked the catalogue on the Woodhorn Colliery web page but there is no trace of Bastardy Orders on there.  Never mind.  Thanks to everyone for trying to help.

did you check non conformists registers eg catholics, methodists etc (I found mine in a primitive methodist register)

[suey]

  I checked the catalogue on the Woodhorn Colliery web page but there is no trace of Bastardy Orders on there. Never mind. Thanks to everyone for trying to help.

Northumberland County Archives Services - Ref: GAL/12 - Bastardy Orders Register 1852-1916
Not sure what or how much information that would contain but that's where you need to be looking.
You can't do that for free though.