Tony, I could be wrong, but I believe it was due to the fact that many parents were not married starting in those years, and to save the dignity of the child, this was done. I sent for my birth cert. to Trenton, because the Town one (Elizabeth), was so blah, and I wanted to see if I could dig up some more info..you know, the curiosity of a genie. One of the boxes that HAD to be checked was Legitimate? yes or no. Times have changed..but then, some still don't show the father's name, I would bet. The ones from Trenton have more info..at least they used to..If like California. that can change.. Regards, Grace