"b.b. = "base born", in other words illegitimate.  Before about 1800 it was just assumed that pregnancy outside of marriage was a "fact of life".  That tradition came down from our Germanic tribal ancestors.  But as the churches flexed their power, it became more and more a social stigma.  After all, everyone in a small village was pretty sure who the father was.  But nowadays, the term "bastard" is a pejorative, that somehow assumes the child is at fault.  It's a totally stupid way to judge a person.  I think the term should be reserved for those who are mean-spirited and want to put down others for something that they had no control over.  But that's just me.     Lou ----- Original Message ----- From: Linda Sokalofsky <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 1:02 PM Subject: [LIN] Crowland:Hooton-Apthorpe Hi everyone Can someone tell me what the letters b:b stand for on the end of the following reference? Record: "Crowland PR: January 27, 1792 Thomas son of Mary HOOTON, Widow, b:b" Birth:baptism or baptism:burial? Thanks Linda B.C. Canada  ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message