Genealogy Chat

Hi!!!!!! Have a few illegitimate children that i have come across and have been pointed in the direction of bastardy bonds. Does anyone know anything about Bastardy Bonds??? Where would i be able to find out who got these bonds??? Would they be anywhere in Parish records??? Any help or ideas would be gratefully received!!!

They are kept in my local archive office in a separate index referenced by volunteers. Unfortunately for me none of my free loving ladies were dependant on the parish so no bastardy bond. If you search all threads on here there will be lots about them.

Not Sussex is it - they have online records.

Try a2a.org.uk there is a list of Counties & parishes and where the bastardy bonds are stored on there Bren

Bastardy BONDS had virtually died out by the 1830s. You are more likely to find something under Bastardy Orders, Affiliation Orders, Paternity Orders, both before and after that date. Bastardy BONDS often only applied to the rich - or at least to a father who had something he could offer as a Bond. Not usually the case with your average ag lab - but the Lord of the Manor often got done for a Bastardy Bond. Olde Crone

There's a bit in the Who Do You Think You Are book...only read this wkend.... If the woman was poor the parish became involved. The most usual courses of action was for a woman to be forced to name the father, who was then summoned. His options were then given as:- 1 - marry the woman 2- agree to support the child & its mother through what was known as a bastardy bond 3-come to a private arrangement with the mother & her family Hope this helps

nudge