Genealogy Chat

please see below:

Using the IGI and also the parish records on Ancestry, I have found the birth of an ancestor: 24 Dec 1775 John Shrigley, s. of Martha Bourne, illegit. In 1795 he married Sarah Baggerley. I then find the following entries: Burial: 20 Mar 1803 John Shrigley Bourne, illegit. Baptism: 10 Apr 1803 John Shrigley, s. of Sarah & John Bourne, illegit. 'Shrigley' as a middle name was carried down the family until the early 1900's so I am positive it is the correct person. I am assuming that John Shrigley Bourne senior died a month before his son was born. That being the case, would John Shrigley Bourne jnr be classed as illegitimate and is that who the illegit. on the entry refers to - or does it refer to the fact that his dad was illegitimate? Sam x

Sam Not very clear, is it? As John Bourne is named in the baptism as John shrigley Bourne junior's father, then he clearly can't be illegitimate, as John SB senior had married Sarah before he died and she gave birth. Not sure why they needed to point out that his father was illegitimate, unless there was another John Bourne living in the village at the same time, who wasn't and they used this way of telling them apart (might be probable if the two Johns both did the same job, so they couldn't use occupation as a difference). Sam x

Hi Nell, It's very confusing! I am going to check the original parish records next week at the Archives so that will hopefully make it a bit clearer. I just wondered if someone would be classed as illegitimate in those days if their father died before they were born, even if it was known who he was. Thanks Sam x

Hi Sam. Could it be that John Jr was born before his dad died and that the baptism was postponed for a reason ?????? Joan

If his parents were married, even if his father died before the child was born, he would be legitimate. If his father was another man, I don't think his mother's husband would be in the register. nell

I have seen this kind of spiteful remark by the Clergy on various PRs of the time. Some Clergymen were fanatical about illegitimacy and lost no opportunity to point it out. I saw the burial of a woman aged 79 and illegitimate was written in the RH column, poor soul. But I am a bit puzzled if you saw this remark on the IGI, they normally don't mention things like that! You are doing the right thing in checking the original PR. Old Crone

Hi Old Crone, No the IGI didn't mention illegitimate, that was on the parish records on Ancestry. The information was exactly the same with the addition of illegit. after the entry! Sam x