The only thing that Janet did not cover in her absolutely brilliant answer ( which I suggest everyone file for future reference ) was that Illigit ~ could have covered a Protestant and a Catholic marriage ~ many a parish man ( either religions wrote the derogatory words in a parish register ) most catholic men wrote ill or illigit and in Church of Ireland they use the terrible word ( bastard_ by the way I apologise for even writing this word here) but one must face things as they were in as Janet put it * Old Ireland* Did you also know that years on if that word was found in the register it had a bearing on that child's life forever. Note I said Could Cheers Cara