On another list there was the question raised as to what are "Bastardly Bonds" and the answer came from another list "An unwed mother had to name the father, or post a bond ensuring that the county would not become liable for the support of the child" & records are supposedly available in county courthouses. The states mentioned were PA & Tenn. Can anyone tell me if NYS had this same practice or does anyone know any more about these "bonds". Thanks. Sandy, Maryland, NY Searching for: BARTHOLOMEW, GARRISON, GILBERT, GOODSPEED, HALL, JOHNSON, PADGETT, PRESTON, STIMPSON/STIMSON, TUCKEY