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We have just added 'paternity' cases from the register of extracted decrees of Haddington Sheriff Court 1829-1917.

These are cases where the mother of an illegitimate child takes the father to court to prove paternity and make him pay for the child's maintenance.

The work of making the index has been done a a volunteer and it is free to search online at www.scottishindexes.com

If you have not used these records before you may find our learning zone helpful: http://www.scottishindexes.com/learningcourt.aspx

I hope this index helps you!

Emma

This index now covers extracted 'paternity' decrees for Edinburgh 1830-1892 and processes for Edinburgh 1788, 1808-09, 1819, 1829.

So pleased you have found something useful!

In cases after 1855 there should be an RCE if it was a case of 'affiliation and aliment'. If it was simply an aliment case, in other words a man was made to pay for upkeep of the child but not declared to be the father, there will be no RCE. By far the majority of cases are affiliation and aliment.

In cases before 1860 there are also court processes and for some courts these survive after 1860. Processes contain the evidence, generally witness statements which are very interesting! Sometimes you strike gold and there are items such as love letters in the court processes!! You can see an example case in our Learning Zone: http://www.scottishindexes.com/learningcourt.aspx#q5

Emma

I should have said, the index to Paisley Sheriff Court extracted decrees now extends to 1916!

Emma