Bastidy bonds

[Lawleyboy]

When did the bastardy bonds finish in Cornwall and how do access any information Im searching for my Fathers  absent father  My Fathers name was John Yeo born in Bude April 09. 1900

[Pennines]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat.

I am assuming there is no father's name on the birth certificate.

What you are thinking of is a Bastardy Bond or an Affiliation order.
 
If one existed - it may be in the local town or county archives. At the time in question It really depends whether the mother took out a court order against the alleged father. You can usually search the Archive catalogue - using the mother's name to see if anything pops up.

Sometimes -- if they did take out an order - there will be something in the local press amongst the court cases.

[stanmapstone]

They are actually called "Bastardy Orders", and continued  into the 20th Century.
Stan

[osprey]

nothing showing on the opc database

http://www.cornwall-opc-database.org/extra-searches/bastardy-bonds/index.php

[stanmapstone]

You can see the difference between a Bastardy Bond and a Bastardy/Affiliation Order at
https://www.genguide.co.uk/source/bastardy-documents-parish-poor-law/140/

Stan

[Pennines]

A useful link. Thank you.

[stanmapstone]

For the History of child support in the UK and the relevant laws see the entries at http://www.childsupportanalysis.co.uk/information_and_explanation/world/history_uk.htm

Stan

[Pennines]

Thanks again Stan -- so if I am reading that site correctly - it seems like 1845 was the date when illegitimacy support became the responsibility of the mother, to bring a civil action against the father.

If, however poor relief was being claimed by the mother - from 1873, the Poor Law Guardians could apply to the Justices (as in fact they had in the past.)

Not sure if I've got that right -- but I was interested to see that it was as early as 1845 when a mother could bring a civil action.

Interestingly -- in the 1970s I went with my friend to Court for her divorce hearing --- her Solicitor used the phrase to the Magistrate or Judge (or whoever was the legal person in charge!) 'Suffice to say a 'filiation' order was brought against the husband'. So the word 'affiliation' --- or in this case 'filiation' was still in use then.

[whiteout7]

I have an ancestor born in 1793 in Scotland and legal proceeding were taking against the alledged father and he is recorded as the father in documents even though he tired to denigh it. I think the mother could get some financial help even earlier through the local church sessions.