Lie about first name on a Sheriff Decree

[whiteout7]

OK

Elizabeth R McF died in 1919 in Dysart aged 1

so the Sheriff Court Paternity Case could only refer to

James Clark born 1917 in Dysart.

[Rosinish]

Elizabeth R McF died in 1919 in Dysart aged 1

so the Sheriff Court Paternity Case could only refer to

James Clark born 1917 in Dysart.

Glad you've sorted out your dilemma as I was beginning to feel a wee bit dippit in my thoughts although djct was on the same wavelength 

However, there's no birth (Dysart) on SP for 'a' James Clark 1917 or 'James Clark' (middle name Clark) 1917 i.e. I think you most probably mean James Nicol...

NICOL JAMES 1917
426/ 339 Dysart

It does help when correct info. is posted otherwise it confuses things for others trying to help.

I'm pretty sure there was more than 1 'Clark' from Dysart serving his country in 1917

1911 index has...

CLARK JAMES 43
426/5/14
Dysart, Fife

AGNES 43   
JAMES 21 (likely son & culprit in the 'Sheriff Decree') 
AGNES 19
JOHN 16
ANNIE 13
MARGRET 10
GRACE 8
WILLIAM 5
JEANIE 2

VRs...

CLARK JAMES Tenant Occupier
HOUSE 13 WATT STREET, KIRKCALDY AND DYSART
1907 (from at least 1907 until at least 1925)
VR002700012-

Most of the nos for Watt Street are odd nos which in itself is odd (no pun intended) i.e. it may be possible the writing was faded, the '1' missing or very close to the '3' & the '3' being recorded transcribed as '8' 

Anyway, I think this is the family of the James in the Decree & now wondering if they too, are your family?

Annie

[djct59]

"If the putative father lied about his name of course he would allow the decree to pass against him with the fake name, that is what people commiting fraud do!"

I'm still not following this.

Are you suggesting that the putative father gave a false name to the mother at or before conception, then accepted service of a writ raised against him under that false name after birth took place, then allowed decree to pass?

During this period no member of the Pursuer's family had any inkling "James" was really David? In a place as small as Dysart? I'm still struggling, sorry.

[Rosinish]

The reason I was feeling 'dippit'...

As Whiteout has done a bit of further research it's now clear her assumption was wrong but may have been a bit of hoping she'd found the child of her ancestor which I can understand although not the scenario 

Annie

[whiteout7]

Yes that is right Annie

My Ancestor David Clark was accussed of fathering a child in Dysart about 1917 and then leaving after being found out.

Obviously I don't know the mothers surname but I know going by the birth date that the child would be deceaced now.

It does look like James Clark born to Mary Nicol is not his.

Dysart was a small place and maybe the rumour spilled over onto my ancestor

[Rosinish]

Whiteout,

Do you know when your ancestor left for other shores?

If he left, the chances of him ending up in court would be slim if he 'vanished' soon after the birth or knowledge of the pregnancy?

Annie

[Rosinish]

Dysart was a small place and maybe the rumour spilled over onto my ancestor

Dysart was/is a small place in terms i.e. I doubt the neighbours would mix up who was who or the likelihood of a mix-up.

What exact info. do you have of this illegitimate child (female) being born 1917 as it's a very precise year?

Stories grow arms & legs over time although there may be some truth in the illegitimate child but... "I have family information that relates to a birth of a female child around this time and it being a subsquent reason for my ancestors immigration to another country" seems a drastic measure 

I had a quick run through deaths in Dysart with YoB 1917 (+/-1) as the exact yr isn't an option & was astounded by the amount of infant deaths in such a small place 

I was actually trying to match up birth surnames with mms the same (deaths 1974 onwards) in the hope of a clue to illegitimacy.

There are too many births to sift through to try & match with deaths but I found one which may be of interest although I didn't find a marriage or death...I wonder did she immigrate too 

Birth

BAXTER SUSAN CLARK 1917
426/ 41 Dysart

Annie

[whiteout7]

My David Clark married in 1918 in Edinburgh and migrated in 1923.

Maybe the rumour did grow legs!

I'm using 1917 as right before his marriage was what I was told.

Might have to give up until something obvious appears