Baseborn

[Jane Masri]

In a transcript of parish records a christening is recorded as, 'Jane, baseborn daughter to  Rose of Westcott'.  Am I presuming right that this means illigitimate?

Jane (but not the baseborn one  )

[Kazza]

Hello Jane,

My dictionary gives 2 definitions:

1:  [adj]  (archaic) illegitimate
2:  [adj]  of low birth or station (`base' is archaic in this sense); "baseborn wretches with dirty faces"; "of humble (or lowly) birth

Websters gives 3:.
1. Born out of wedlock.
2. Born of low parentage.
3. Vile; mean.

Kazza.

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi

My Oracle gives similar meanings to what Kazza wrote - but no one actually quotes the word 'baseborn'

The baptism register in St John Sub Castro, Lewes, gives many variations of the same thing. I believe it depended upon 'who you were' as to how it was written in the register - see below

1668 Jun 14, Senedy Joane, f, Mary, supposed father Thomas Sharpe
1767 Mar 22, Pilford   Mary, f, Rebecca, a natural d of Rebecca
1785 Apr   24, Pettet James, m, Susannah, base born s of Susannah Sargant
1797 Feb    28, Phillips Mary, f, Henry Mary, base born, father Henry Baker
1804 Mar 16, Frost Sarah, f, Ruth, House of Correction, bastard
1821 Mar   11, Towner James, m, Harriet, OTP, Servant, natural son
1827 Jun 16, Lunford Louisa Ann, f, Mary Smith, OTP, baseborn

But my favourite entry in the baptism register has to be this one:

1918 Feb 10, Baker   Barbara Nora Lilian, d, f, Elsie Ethel, 31 North St.
Note in Reg. Husband states that he has been abroad with Regt since 1915 therefore not father.

How would you feel if this was your ancestor?

Chris in 1066Land

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi again

Have actually found the word 'baseborn' in the  
New English Dictionary by Oldhams Press, dated 1932. (one of my mums old books)

Baseborn
1. Born out of Wedlock
2. Of Humble Birth
3. Of Base Origin or Nature

Which is exactly what Kazza said

Chris in 1066Land

[Jane Masri]

Thanks everyone. I loved your favourite Chris.  I'm going to take it as meaning illigitimate.  I've been astonished at the number of births registered as being born the wrong side of the blanket.  Promiscuity is not a modern thing!
Jane

[suey]

 ::)I've got more than one lady who failed to make it to the alter and a few who must have been running !  Either that or premature births in my family were awfully common pre 1900 !
Suey

[Boongie Pam]

Remember that their may have been blockers to marriage.  I have one lady whom had 5 illegitimate children to the one man.

They both worked at "t'big house" and where both in a parish distant from their births.

It strikes me that they weren't playing fast and loose but couldn't marry either because the employers didn't allow staff to marry without one of them leaving their employ or the local vicar wouldn't marry them as they were not from his parish and would not grant them settlement.

I also have children registered as illegitimate because the marriages did not conform to Church of Scotland law but were catholic ceremonies or dissenters and considered "Irregular".  Some parishes were more strict than others.

Cheers,
Pam