Genealogy Chat

I think someone mentioned barsted records , How do I find them? I have a Jane Ruffe born 1806 Clapham Sussex still single in 1861. Her 2 sons were James Ruffe christened 23?5/1830 and Stephen George Ruff christened 20/4/1845 both in Clapham Sussex. Hope someone can help

Bastardy bonds and examinations are in the parish records which will be in the relevant records office. Examinations are interviews with the mother to get her to reveal the name of the child's father with a view to getting him to pay their maintenance, rather than the parish. Bastardy bond is an agreement that he will pay. If you haven't seen the parish baptism, it is possible the father might be recorded there. Alternatively, illegitimate children sometimes have their father's first/second name as a middle name which can be a clue. nell

Thanks Helen I found the boys dates after a visit to Chichester Records Office so it looks like another trip there but the train trip is a bit of a problem for this old girl (still young in spirit though)

If you have a LDS centre within easy reach you can always order a film through them. I found a bastardy bond in the 'parish chest' records of my ancestors village at my local centre which saved me a long journey. You can check on the family search site whether they have filmed these records by going to the Library tab at the top of the page, then Family History library catalogue, then search for the village/town you want. Click on the parish chest records (blue underlined) then click on the 'film notes' at the top of the page - these give more details about what is included in these records and which years. Take note of the film number so that you can order them at the centre (though they can look those up again for you). Hope that all makes sense! Sheila

Thanks Sheila I will do what you recomended on Monday and hope that will save me journey.Yes I understood your good information. Thanks again. Off to bed now margaret

Go to the local Records office where the mother lived when the children were born (or email them as I did), and get them to check the Court records. Cost me £8.50 best money ever spent. I have just had a major breakthough - to cut a long story short never knew who my dad's father was - saw a thread on the Bastady records - so emailed the Berkshire records office, and within a couple of days I had a name for my grandfather. In 1920 Grandma was awarded an Affiliation order for the father to pay 7/6 a week until dad was 14. Hope this works for you too. Jackie

Thanks Jacqueline I will also give that a try Margaret

Would bastardy bonds still be operative in 1921? Or are there any sources in use at that date which might help find the father if he is not on the child's birth certificate?