Author Topic: Bastardy Bonds/Records  (Read 403 times)

Offline AnitaWellard

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Bastardy Bonds/Records
« on: Thursday 17 December 15 14:04 GMT (UK) »
Hello,

I need help with my Smith family again. I have Elizabeth Smith born 1867, Mother Mary Smith unmarried. Would there be Bastardy Bonds or had they ceased to exist before Elizabeth was born.

Thank you

Anita

Offline stanmapstone

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Re: Bastardy Bonds/Records
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 17 December 15 14:23 GMT (UK) »
Bastardy bonds and other parish bastardy documents ceased to be used after 1834 when the Poor Law Unions were created............ From 1839 all bastardy cases were heard at Petty Sessions, and initiated by the mother, who had to produce corroborative evidence to convict the putative father. http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LIN/poorbastard.html
They continued as "maintenance orders" into the 20th Century.
See the entries at http://www.childsupportanalysis.co.uk/information_and_explanation/world/history_uk.htm
Stan
Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk