Illegitimacy - how have you handled it on your Family Tree?

[tallted]

My greatgrandmom had 3 illigitamate children, one ine 1873, 76 waited a time and in 1891, she never married and the birth cert. are not available on BMD yet.  Being in Canada it is very expensive to go to Kent, Bexley Heath and search for them.
The family tree book I am writing has areas for notes on each individual and I tell it like it was.  There has been a lot of cover up by my ggrdmom as on death certs of children there are no names given for fathers.
Explain the Victorian attitude, the reasons for cover ups and tell the story.
Future generations will appreciate truthfulness.
On the Charts I just put (unknown). In FTM 2005 this works.
Ted

[teddybear1843]

The general rule of family history as far as I know is;
State only facts. Do Not surmise. If you THINK something, put it in brackets or make a note that it is not proven.

The trouble with putting things on trees is that in a few years time people will take your supposition as gospel!

How many of us have disproven something we have read somewhere?

Stick to the facts but make sure that you have written somewhere that you suspect such a thing.  Who knows, there may just be a bastardy bond turn up or some other obscure record.

Teddybear

[tallted]

Ted,
What is a bastardy bond? I have not heard the phrase before.
I also agree the statement of facts must always have any qualifiers if there is any thing but documented fact.
Ted

[casalguidi]

Hi Ted

A bastardy bond is best described as the ancient form of child maintenance.  The reputed father was apprehended and entered into a bond ie. accept his responsibilities and made to pay for any expenses during childbirth and the upkeep of the child so that the child wouldn't be dependant on the parish for it's upkeep.  Make sense?

Casalguidi

[tallted]

HI Cas,
Thank you so much.  I had not heard of it before and it makes great sense.  Unfortunately up to this point I have not been able to find even a trace of my ggrdmoms children's father or if a dare say fathers.
Is there anywhere that these bonds would be registered?
Thanks again.
Ted

[Biker]

Thanks everyone.  Got some good ideas now for how to reflect the illegitimacy accurately on my Tree. 

Am still curious as to why they didn't marry when there seems to be no impediment, but who knows ....  will keep looking 

All the Best
Jonathan

[casalguidi]

Tallted

Bastardy bonds only really apply pre 1836ish.

1836/1837 was the time of major reform of the poor laws - it then became the responsibility of the Unions (each registration district) to look after the poor via the local union workhouses.  Prior to this date the bastardy bonds etc. would be with the church records (known as the Parish Chest because each church had a special chest to accomodate their records).

Were your illegitimate ancestors born in the union workhouse?  Anybody admitted to the workhouse would be questioned as to their state of poverty.  People were turned away if it was established that they had means of supporting themselves ie. had some money or anything else of value on them.

It's difficult for me to comment or make further suggestions with regards to your ancestors without further facts.

Best wishes

Casalguidi

[tallted]

Hi Cas,
No I dont think any of them were in a workhouse. At least not to my knowledge/
Thanks for the information though.
Ted

[Carmela]

 Hi Ted,   

A small addition re: the whereabouts of bastardy bonds: they can be found in quarter session returns. These are stored at the relevant county record office.

See:  http://www.nra.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra

         http://www.a2a.org.uk
 
Cheers,
Carmela