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Did Step-father's adopt in the 1880's?

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Zoe

Zoe Report 22 Apr 2004 20:53

Kathryn, At this stage I haven't found a marriage for him so don't know what name he may have used! Oh well, onwards & upwards. Thanks for responding. Zoe, Wellington, NZ

Twinkle

Twinkle Report 22 Apr 2004 13:10

Probably Smart. Do you know what surname he used when (if) he married? Literacy among the masses was still a novel concept and so it is unlikely anybody would have checked his birth certificate to verify his surname.

Zoe

Zoe Report 22 Apr 2004 13:07

Thanks Kathryn, Didn't know when adoption started. So what surname would I looking under for death records? Zoe

Twinkle

Twinkle Report 22 Apr 2004 12:57

I don't think there was a formal adoption procedure until around 1927. The step-son was quite young so he probably regarded his step-father as his dad and so just took his name.

Zoe

Zoe Report 22 Apr 2004 12:44

I've got a William LAWRENCE born c. 1875 who's father died a couple of years later. His mother re-married a James Smart (also a widower with kids in tow) in 1879. The 1881 census shows William as William Lawrence Smart & by 1901 as just William Smart. Would he have been formally adopted by his step-father OR just take his name? Any comments would be helpful I'm sure! Cheers Zoe, Wellington, NZ