Hello List, The Bastardy Bonds ended about 1878, according to Betty J. and Edwin A. Camin, the authors of the only book on Bastardy Bonds of N.C., that I am aware of. Helen Leary, who wrote "North Carolina Research: Genealogy and Local History " says that "the power to legitimate was exercised by the General Assembly until 1835. and beginning in 1806, this authority was shared with the county inferior and superior courts; after 1868 county superior courts had sole authority." Most of the bonds and records of bastardy are in the State Archives, where they are usually filed chronologically. (my note: Many of these records are in the county court minutes.) Sue Ashby CC: Chatham Co., N.C. http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncchatha/chatham.htm listowner: ASHBY-L@rootsweb.com NCWAKE-L@rootsweb.com