Hi, My understanding is that in NC children whose fathers were dead/deserted were often termed Orphans, even when the mother was still alive. They could then be called wards of the state for purposes of support. Betty Pace From: MellyBkr@aol.com To: NCRUTHER-L@rootsweb.com Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2004 21:09:45 EDT Subject: Court records Hello, I am interested in this particular case in the court records: July 1812: The court ordered that the sheriff bring and deliver into next court Sally Wilkerson the daughter of Mary Wilkerson in order to be bound. October 1812 On motion ordered that Sarah Wilkerson aged 12 years orphan of Polly Wilkerson be bound to Margaret McMurry until she attain the age of eighteen... __________________________ What I am trying to figure out is: Were Sarah/Sally's parents alive at the time of her bounding out? When it says she is the orphan of Polly Wilkerson, is it because Polly is dead or her Sarah's father is dead? What made a child an orphan, losing a father or both parents? No mention of her father can be found in the court records. Thanks for an insight. Melody