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Sept 12, 2024 Webinar | Really and Truly The Father | Linda Corupe

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.