Really and Truly The Father | Linda Corupe
Sept 12, 2024 7:00 pm ET – co-sponsored by the Elgin and Perth Branches
Many of the early bastardy oaths, aka oaths of affiliation, from our province have not survived. But those from 8 different districts and/or counties are still available, including approximately 200 from Perth County and 250 from Elgin County. The Perth Co. oaths range from 1853 to 1902, and those from Elgin Co. from 1853 to 1921. In Upper Canada, after legislation in 1837 made fathers liable for the costs of raising such children, these oaths became more common, and
were considered the first step in a legal battle between the expectant mother’s parent or guardian and the father of her baby. The information available in them is, in most cases, not obtainable in any other manner. The lecture will include examples of various types of oaths, as well as details on how to access them.
Linda Corupe
Linda Corupe, U.E., the author of over 50 books on genealogy and history and a well-known researcher and presenter, is a descendant of a United Empire Loyalist from the Napanee area. Among her notable publications are annotated transcriptions of court records, heir and devisee records, and bastardy affidavits. Linda earned her B.A. from McMaster University and is a member of the United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada, the Ontario Genealogical Society and the Ontario Historical Society. One of her favourite places to be is at the Archives of Ontario, where she has spent countless hours researching for both clients and her own interests.
