maintenance orders for illegitimate children

[HannahB]

Can anyone tell me how to check the existence of maintenance orders for children born out of wedlock? This seems to be the only possible way of finding the name of the father of Matilda Rance, b. 1851 to Sophia Rance in Chesham, Bucks. The fathers name in not on the birth certificate. Hannah

[Redroger]

If an order was made and the record has survived it will be at the relevant county archive.

[sillgen]

Try googling "bastardy bonds" in the county you are looking at.   You may be lucky but many did not survive.
Andrea

[Redroger]

My believed 3XGGM in Somerset or Dorset in the late 18th century seems to have had at least 7 illegitimate children. Out of this lot there is only one bastardy bond that seems to have survived, and it is doubrful whether she is the woman concerned.

[HannahB]

Thanks all.  I know it is a long shot but it is the only thing I can think of.  I will try the Buckinghamshire archives. Hannah

[behindthefrogs]

If you fail to find a bastardy bond it may be worth trying to locate the records of the local guardians of the poor.  There may be information in the minutes of their meetings or individual officers if they survive.

[HannahB]

Thank you.  I will try that.  I have not had any luck so far with the bonds. I may have to go to Aylesbury next time I am in the UK and see what they have that could be of help. Hannah

[Redroger]

If you fail to find a bastardy bond it may be worth trying to locate the records of the local guardians of the poor.  There may be information in the minutes of their meetings or individual officers if they survive.

Do these records extend back into the 18th century?

[behindthefrogs]

The guardians of the poor were set up by the poor law act of 1834 when the poor law unions were created.  Prior to that the same functions were carried out by the parish and you need to look at the various records in the "parish chest".  In this case you will be starting with the those of the overseer of the poor and the vestry minutes, but others may be of help if they have survived..