HMS Malaya

Researching Illegitimacy

Roger Moore

OU Family History Club

April 2009

Notes for my book group, last year…

I got into family history some years ago when my dad asked/told me: "You know everything about the Internet, son, can you find out who my real grandfather was?" Foolish, boastful child that I am, "Of course, Dad, I can do that." Well, tracking down the errant father of my bastard* granddad has proved more than a little tricky and I've been sidetracked by the ease of hunting the rest of my Moore (and Mee) predecessors back to the early 1600s. To cut a long story short I have now found the…

Illegitimacy

What is illegitimacy?Legal, social & religious issuesResearching illegitimacyGrandfather’s storyScope – 18th C. to 1927

What is illegitimacy?

What’s in a name?English common law (and some US states)

Scottish (and continental) law13th C - filius nulliusTime of birthTime of marriage

Legal

Legal definition Act of Parliament “to bastardise” Inheritance law – wills Divorce State support of children – Poor Laws Adoption Criminal records

Bigamy Rape Immorality & prostitution Infanticide

Social issues

Incidence of illegitimacy Varying social mores – time & placeChurch & Parish authorityMale lineage & female rightsSexual exploitationShame & Discrimination

Church & Parish

Church CourtsFornicationBastard bearingPenances

Parish reliefPaupers, elderly & afflicted too..

Research plan 1

Are you sure? What do you want to find?

Errant father? Both parents?

Basic information – family legends Basic information – birth data

GRO, Baptismal records Census data Workhouses

Research Plan 2

Before 1640 – Church & Manorial courts 1537 - 1834 – Old Poor laws

Parish records – settlement examination Bastardy order – Petty sessions Appeals to Quarter sessions

1834 – 1844 - New Poor Law Poor Law Union records (workhouse)

After 1844 – mother’s rights re-established Affiliation order Bastardy returns to 1858

Poor Law overseer

12th, Wednesday. My brother stayed and breakfasted with us and then went home. In the forenoon Mr Jer. French and Mr Jos. Fuller came and informed me that Robt Durrant was in custody of the parish officers of Waldron on account that Eliz. Day, belonging to Waldron, but a certificate person to this parish, being big with child, and which she hath sworn upon Robert Durrant, they accordingly desired Mr Burges and I would go and give the officers security on account of this parish in behalf of the man, and we both accordingly went. And when we came there the man being so ill that he could not go before a justice, and they seemed not willing to take anything less than an indemnifying bond, so that I came back again to consult the people of this parish (leaving Mr Burges there). And it was agreed I should go and ask Mr Courthope the most they could oblige us to pay per week which I accordingly did. But when I came to Uckfield, Mr Courthope was not at home so that I could have no advice from him. So that after staying at Uckfield and getting some mutton chops (having had no dinner), I went to Waldron again where, to my great surprise, I found Mr French, Mr Piper and Tho. Fuller come to treat with the officers. They then offered to take our bond for 15d. per week for the maintenance of the child and 40s. for her lying-in, but Mr French was obstinate and would not permit us to give above 12d. per week and insisted for it to be left for Mr Geo. Courthope to decide. Mr Burges and I accordingly gave Mr Nich. Attwood our note of hand to forfeit £20 if we do not meet him or some other of their parish officers on Monday next at Uckfield in order to have Mr Courthope's determination, and if he will not determinate it, then to deliver them up the body of Robert Durrant again. I come home, but wet enough, about 10.15, and very sober. Spent this day on the parish account 23 d . . .

Research Plan 3

1870/80s – 1926 - urbanisationAfter 1927 - Adoption ActPersonal papers

Grandad Moore’s Story

Cornelius Mooreborn 1836, died 1882

Elizabeth Lowe Moore (nee Geary)born 1838, died 1901

George Harry Mooreborn 1870, died 1923

Jane Osborne Moore (Smith)born 1873, died 1957

Clara Gladys Moorebap. Aug 11 1895

Ellen Mooreborn 1874, died May 5, 1895

Married, Anstey, Aug 4 , 1894

??

William Cornelius Mooreborn March 23, 1895, Anstey

Father to Hugh, Barbara & Roger.

Uncle/nephew

1881 Census – Ellen age 6

Uncle Roger’s information

Brenda Preston’s information

Make a plan

School leaver certificate

Conclusions

Get the basics rightRead up on the subjectMake a planBe open-mindedBe prepared to be disappointed!Good luck.

Sources

My Ancestor was a Bastard, Ruth Paley, Soc. Genealogists

Ancestral Trails, Mark HerberFamily Fortunes, Davidoff & HallDiary of a Village Shopkeeper, Thomas

Turner