ADOPTION!

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Profile	Posted by	Options	Post Date
Member Since: April 2003 Posts: 113 Send Message	Catherine	Report	23 May 2004 17:02
Member Since: April 2003 Posts: 113 Send Message	Where can I find information about adoptions? Was it possible for 'parents' just to change the surname of children without officially adopting them?? I have discovered (through fruitless searches on LDS) that several children in my tree were not birth children of both parents but children of Women who had married into the family!! Cate :-)
Member Since: November 2003 Posts: 1,461 Send Message	Judith	Report	23 May 2004 17:12
	Have a look at http://www.familyrecords.gov.uk/topics/adoption.htm Legal adoption didn't come in until early 20th century. Before that arrangements were made privately and yes, parents could just change the children's surnames, especially where they are, as in your case step children. Just to confuse me further I have found children who were known by stepfather's surname but then reverted to birth father's name at a later date :-) Judith
Member Since: April 2003 Posts: 113 Send Message	Catherine	Report	23 May 2004 17:16
Member Since: April 2003 Posts: 113 Send Message	Thanks Judith! Will go have have a look! Have also got children in my tree, whose surname changes from census to census and on marriage and death certificates!! Cate :-)