Seeing Alison's post about Bastardy Records reminded me that I have a list of the Index of Bastardy Cases in Derbyshire Quarter Sessions Order Books, it covers from Easter 1682 to Easter 1784 with a FEW 19th century cases included. There are no details as it's only an index but it gives the names of both parties, the date, the mother's parish & a folio number. I'm quite happy to do look ups for anyone if you PM me, offlist preferably. This is what it says about the index:- The mother's parish follows her name. The putative father's parish is given only when it differs from that of the mother. However, parishes were not always mentioned. the date given is that of the first year of the volume followed by /folio number/s. Thus the case may be several years later than the date in the index. Since the index was compiled, the Order Books have been put on micro fiches. Unfortunately the individual fiches are not annotated with the folio numbers covered. This can make for some difficulty in locating the entries. A copy of this index may be consulted at the Derbyshire Record Office, which also holds an index covering translation 1784 to Michaelmas 1800. It is advisable to consult the volume concerned in detail, as cases were often followed up after the child was born; or preceded by a case which was adjourned until the next sessions. Sometimes a Removal Order is later issued on the mother and/or child. "It is a wise child who knows his own father". There is no way of being sure that a man found guilty of "begetting a bastard child" on the woman accusing him is indeed the real father. However, instances have been found of couples later marrying - in one case two years after the event. I don't have the 1784 to 1800 list but I expect that is also in the Derbyshire Record Office. Cheers....Dawn ©¿©¬

Hi Dawn Thank you for the offer. I have one enduring mystery which I think must involve a Bastardy case. William ANTILL was baptised 25 Apr 1781 in Spondon. However, this was as the son of Jane JOYCE. It was not until six years later that Jane married William ANTILL and although a search was made for a Bastardy Bond, the relevant page appeared to have been removed. Is there anything in your list which clarifies the situation, please? Kind regards Joy > Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 08:59:28 +1200 > From: pandora@kc.net.nz > To: derbysgen@rootsweb.com > Subject: [DBY] Derbyshire Bastardy Cases - Lookups welcomed > There are no details as it's only an index but it gives the names of > both parties, the date, the mother's parish & a folio number. > > I'm quite happy to do look ups for anyone if you PM me, offlist preferably.