If a woman had a child out of wedlock in NC she was required to name the father so that he would support the child. If she chose not to (in court) then she had to name 3 men who would help pay for the childs needs. Sometimes one of those 3 men might be the father. A note about the book on NC bonds. It was determined not to print any bonds less then 70 years old so as not to embarrass the living. (The book was printed in the early 1900's.) Different states have different rules. In Tennessee the bastard records are kept in the general court session records - not separately like in NC. Lynda