Genealogy Chat

dear karen, my grandfather was also born out of wedlock in 1915 we cant findany records of his adoption or anything at all about his birth mother, adoption wasnt made legal until 1927 so a child could be placed with anyone no questions asked

When I enquired with social services they said that prior to ?1922 (if I remeber exact date) if you adopted someone and changed their surname to yours there was no legal record made nor paperwork required. Which is a bit of a bugger, eh?

Formal adoption didn't take place until 1927, so I very much doubt that there would be anything, but whatever there was would be in the relevant county records office somewhere. The "bastardy bond" referred to above was a document produced by the poor law overseers/church wardens to compel the father - if known - to pay maintenance for the child and its mother. Later on of course this was replaced by court orders for maintenance. nell

My grandmother was illegitimate her father was never named on the birth certificate. But sometimes the fathers were ordered to pay towards the child's upbringing I think it's known as the Bastardy Role (not sure) this is what someone else told me on here. Such for it on the search engines and see what you come up with. Good luck. Fern.

Can anyone tell me, if back in 1910 there was any kind of paperwork involved with taking on some-elses child. I don't imagine there was, but would like some confirmation, if anybody knows anything!!