Affiliation orders / bastardy bonds - help please!!

[Lucy327]

Hi,
So I’m quite new to this, and have hit a bit of a wall. A family member was adopted, and we have the birth mothers name but no record for the father. In the adoption records it states that an affiliation order had been submitted against the father and this is what I’m thinking may help me track him. My question is, how can I find the record of the affiliation order? The two geographical areas in question are Chelsea and Bristol, narrowed down to a 2 year gap, which unfortunately sits well within the 100 year rule. Both LMA and Bristol archives have said that they don’t have access to these. Anyone else have any ideas??! Any advice would be very gratefully received!

[clayton bradley]

In Lancashire I have found newspaper reports of affiliation orders, but at an earlier date.

[CaroleW]

Welcome to Rootschat

Bastardy Bonds ceased to exist well over 100yrs ago

What year was the family member born & what year were they adopted?  If they were adopted at birth it would be unusual for an affiliation order to be sought as the adoptive parents assume full responsibility for the child.

If the child was adopted at a later age - then the mother or possibly Social Services (if the child was in care or fostered) may well have sought maintenance up to that date. 

I can't be sure but unless it can be shown that the biological father is deceased - any affiliation records would remain closed 

DNA may be a way forward