Genealogy Chat

My ggg grandfather was an illegitimate child, there was a bastardy order against his father..... my question is knowing who his father was do I research this? & how do I put him on my tree? Any advice gratefully recieved.

I would certainly research him. For most people, an illegitimate child means a ''brick wall'', but for you, there appears to be a door in it! Rush through and grab all you can, I say! I have a handful of such situations. On my husband's side there's one where the child was given some very unlikely middle names - which just happen to be extremely similar to the first and family names of a man whose family is living just around the corner from the child's birthplace by the census (1861) a couple of years after the birth (Dec 1867). This appears to be a Notable Family - whose correspondence is in teh Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth. At the earliest opportunity, I intend to have a look at that correspondence to see if there's any mention of anything relevant. Christine

A vague link here, but can I just ask how you find out about Bastardy Orders? I know my g grandmother had an illegitimate child, who I think was brought up by her brother and family. The child is provided for in my g g grandfather's will. Is there any way of finding out about a possible bastardy order? Thanks Mandy

I was lucky I was told by a family member also doing the family tree he gave me a link to the local council archives which sent on request the order..... I was lucky as I already knew the family name.

Clare, was that the surname of the father you used then I'm presuming? That is lucky being told it I guess!

Mandy yes the fathers name....the guy who told me had been doing research on the family tree for 5 yrs yes have been very lucky!