When did bastardy bonds,orders etc., cease?

[Rik7]

Hi everyone, does anyone know when the use of bastardy bonds, orders, certificates etc. went out of use? The period I'm interested in is around about 1900 ish. Is that too late to search for them? Did they just become un-enforcable, unfashionable or was there an Act of Parliament? Anyone know??

[Peter Goodey]

1900 is too late for bastardy bonds. The system changed in 1834 with the New Poor Law.

You would need to search petty session records for an affiliation order. It may be easier to find a report in the local press. I'd look at the Poor Law records first, if extant.

[Roger47]

I have been looking at a similar problem and although the Bastardy bond changed in 1834 with the poor law act there was an amendment in 1844 which enabled the overseers to apply through the courts for support from the father but it was at there discretion so quarter session records may be worth a look

Roger