"Bastardy Records" for Elizabeth Bamford

[TinaRoyal]

My Great-Grandmother, Elizabeth Bamford, was born in Rochdale on 29th January 1839 and baptised at St. Chad’s Church on 9th June 1839.  Neither her Birth Certificate, nor her Baptismal Record, names Elizabeth’s Father.  Her Mother was Alice Whitworth, who was married to a Richard Bamford.  Richard Bamford died in 1836, three years before Elizabeth was born, so I have a sneaking suspicion that he may not be my Great-Grandfather.

Can anyone suggest how I might find out who my Great-Grandfather was?  I have enquired at St. Chad’s, but they don’t have the Parish Chest Records going back to 1839.  I have also enquired at Touchstones in Rochdale, but they don’t know the where-abouts of any 1800’s “Bastardy Records”.

Any help or suggestions anyone has, would be most appreciated.

[Milliepede]

Well if her husband had died more than 9 months prior then he definitely wasn't the father!

It's rare to find the real father if there is no hint on her birth or baptism 

Does she put Richard Bamford as her father when she marries?  Did Alice marry again?  If she did so quickly then her new husband might have been the father but difficult to prove.

[TinaRoyal]

Elizabeth Bamford married John Turner on 28th January 1865. There is a “-“ in the space reserved for her father’s name.

As far as I know, Alice never married again.  She is on the 1841 Census living with two of her and Richard Bamford’s children, John and Jane, as well as Elizabeth.  And she died in January 1877, under the name of Alice Bamford.

[clayton bradley]

Autosomal DNA might help. cb

[TinaRoyal]

I like the idea of using DNA to identify my Great-Grandfather, but how would this work ?

I have 16 Great-Grandparents, each of whom have contributed, on average, 6.25% to my DNA.  How would I identify which 6.25% has come from the companion of Alice Whitworth ?  Furthermore, I may well have inherited more than 6.25% from him, or I may have inherited zero.

[clayton bradley]

True, it would take a lot of work and you might never solve it. But many people do find an answer that way. cb

[emmsthheight]

Hi

Just a thought 

I have a relative born out of marriage not far from Rochdale about this time 

I found a reference on the Lancashire Record Office site to a bastardy record giving the mother, child, date, supposed father and person who paid  I don't think it was part of the parish chest.  I may be wrong 

When I got chance to visit the record office to see the original there was some discussion but they decided it had gone to Central Library in Manchester as part of a Greater Manchester collection.  I haven't been yet but I hope to.

I hope you get some progress.

Just another thought, a small chance but has she given another name or a father on a marriage certificate?

Good luck.

Best wishes

Emms

[emmsthheight]

PS Thinking about it another post here jogged my memory.

I think it was a petty or quarter sessions record  I'm sure someone who knows more will put me right.

There was an index though  Try Central Library site?

Good Luck!
Emms

[TinaRoyal]

It never ceases to amaze me how helpful “RootsChatters” are.  Thank you Emms for your suggestions.

I haven’t made enquiries at the Lancashire Record Office or the Central Library in Manchester, but I will do now.  The only two places I have contacted so far is “Touchstones” in Rochdale and St. Chad’s Parish Church regarding their Parish Chest, but I have had no joy from either.

Elizabeth Bamford married John Turner on 28th January 1865.  But there is no entry for Elizabeth’s father, neither was his occupation given.

Was “Bastardy” a Petty or Quarter Sessions matter in 1839 ?  I would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me.