Adoption rules in 1918

[romawi]

My GGrandmother died in the flu epidemic in 1918, my GGrandad had died 7 years earlier. She left 2 children aged 15 and 13 who went to live with relatives on her side of the family. My question is - would there be a necessity for the children to be formally adopted by the family or not. Any perspective on this period of time for orphan children would be very much appreciated.

[PaulineJ]

No formal adoption existed prior to 1927-ish.

Pauline

[romawi]

Thank you

[AntonyMMM]

There were plenty of formal adoptions before 1927 - just not required to be done through the court system.

Many were done through church/charity organisations or agencies like Dr Barnardo's, and very detailed records survive in some cases. Some were also done through private adoption agreements drawn up by solicitors ( I have a copy of one).

However, in a close family case like this I wouldn't expect anything official was done (or necessary).

[Rosinish]

Were the children described as 'Adopted' or their actual relationship to the relatives in 1921?

Even if they were described as 'Adopted' it may have been a reference only, to them not being their 'biological' children although they were 'bringing them up' so to speak?

What name did the children give for their father when (if) they married, did they name their 'biological' father or their 'adoptive' father?

Is it likely they were brought up as 'Foster' children rather than 'Adopted' children?

Annie

[Maiden Stone]

Wouldn't the relative(s) have been regarded as legal guardian(s) whether or not they adopted the children?
15 was working age and nearly grown up, although not legally adult until 21.   

[romawi]

Thanks everyone. Both children were taken in by the grandmother and a widowed aunt, they were listed as grandchild on the census in 1921. As Maiden Stone says, by grandmother was already 15 and went to work at this time.
The reason for asking and mystery was that my GGrandmother married again 4 years before she died in the flu epidemic and changed her name but neither child did. The husband was 8 years younger than her, still only in his late 20’s. I wondered if this was a marriage of convenience to protect her as a widow or him if he was gay or going off to war (married in early 1914 - so probably not). When she died the children went to live with the two older ladies and not their adopted stepfather.
The mystery is I knew my grandmother really well and often talked about her family history. She was happy to tell me her father died from being an alcoholic in 1911 but not that she had a step dad - I never knew of his extistance until long after she died. Just find it all very strange and would love to delve a bit deeper. My grandmother was born only 5 months after her parents married. Her mother was the domestic help in the family house of my Ggrandfathers family who were very wealthy. He was much older than her. Lots of scandals for the time.

[Rosinish]

Did the girls ever live with their mother after she remarried?

Is it possible the 3 (mother & 2 daughters) lived with the grandmother & aunt after the death of husband no. 1 then when she remarried, the girls didn't want to go & live with their step-father?

I've seldom seen older children take on the surname of a step-parent, it's usually smaller children who are 'given' the new surname.

Annie