Hi Ellen, The term 'natural child' is either used to differentiate between adopted and 'natural' children, or as a euphemism for 'illegitimate'. The context in this case suggests the latter interpretation. A euphemism tends to mean whatever the euphemist wants it to mean, but one of the accepted differentiations between 'illegitimate' and 'natural child', where instances of both occur as in this case, is that the 'natural child' has been acknowledged by the supposed father. In all of the above I'm assuming that these children were born in Manchester, otherwise Lynne will be along questioning my ancestry <g> Regards, Bob -----Original Message----- From: Ellen Oakley Hello List On a Parish Record that I have been looking at it says for one of my families for one of the children Illegitimate and for another one it says Natural Child. Does this mean the Illegitimate one was born before wedlock and the Natural Child born after wedlock, or is there another reason. Thanks Ellen

Bob Thornley wrote: ><snip> > >In all of the above I'm assuming that these children were born in >Manchester, otherwise Lynne will be along questioning my ancestry <g> > > Never! <vbg> Lynne