Genealogy Chat

It's always worth a try what have you got to lose. I really do believe they can be contacted and often thought when looking through census and things that someone is with me. When ever I'm stuck I always seem to find a solution could it be them telling me the answer? If ever I go to a medium will let everyone know how I got on. Fern.

I have often thought that I might have to resort to a touch of mediumship to contact some of my more elusive rellies. I wonder if they would be willing to give me the information that I can't find, or would be just plain bl***y awkward?

Thanks all. I think what I have to do is when I go down to Cornwall next year I will go to Cornwall Records Office and see what they suggest to do next. Fern.

Not sure how long bastardy records went on for, but I imagine at some point they were replaced by court orders for maintenance. In 1930 poor law administration was transferred from the parish unions to local authorities. The poor law was finally abolished in 1948, replaced by the modern welfare system enabled by the National Assistance Act 1948. nell

How long did bastardy records go on for? I would have thought 1924 was too late. But then reading Lesley's report of finding one for 1897 made me think again. I'd really like to know the answer to this - I have some without fathers too! Anne

Hi Fern, This not a lot of help with your original request, but someone on another message board recommended this article to do with bastardy records and if you have a few minutes it well worth the read. http://www.loyno.edu/~history/journal/1989-0/haller.htm Barbara

Fern, Have you got your grandma's Marriage Certificate? She may have known who her father was (she must have been curious) and in that case you may find him on the Marriage Certificate. Good luck, Kathy

Yeah but it's such a shame that she felt she had to keep it quiet. One thing I might try is I'm very interested in mediumship so it might be worth while to see a medium what else is there to do! Fern.

If she didn't tell anyone who the father was then I don't think you will find him in bastardy records. Quite a lot of us have a branch of our tree that is dead and we can't hope to do anything about if a father is not named. My grandmother was illegitimate and I've just got to accept that I'll never know who her father was as there's no one left alive who could even hazard a guess!! Kath. x

As far as I know the father was never put down on the certificate and she never told a living sole who he was. Fern.

I don't understand - if she never named the father on the birth certificate how do you get past that? I would be really interested as both my father and uncle have this situation on their birth certificates. Abigail

Would anyone help me to find a Bastardy record for my grandma. I've searched but am either thick or not having much luck. Her name was Winifred Barbara Jean Govier born on 26th January 1924 in Illogon, Redruth, Cornwall. No one knew who the father was, her mother's name was Florence Jane Govier. I know Florence was working in a house in Truro, Cornwall when she became pregnant. If anybody would mind having a look for me please I would be very grateful as it is so sad that one side of my tree is blank. Fern.