Though I've not seen this used in relation to my own family, I have noticed that some records refer to a child as a "base child". Does this mean the child was illegitimate or does it mean they might have been mentally incapacitated? I've looked at the index to my copy of the Poor Law Report (1834) but it's not listed and might be a local euphemism applied by officials.

Every time I have ever found the term it has been illegitimate children.

Thanks for clarifying it for me, much appreciated.

A base-born individual was an illegitimate child; born out of wedlock, etc

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=15057

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=7847

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Such a harsh term of words for a child born of no fault of it's own

True but less harsh than the other common term used. A campaign to stop the use of the description "bastard" in the birth registrations of illegitimate children was only successful in the early 20th century if my memory serves me well.

The terms used for people with learning difficulties/disabilities and those with mental illness were also very bad by our standards too. e.g. cretin and lunatic.

Hi all

It's probably really simple but, what does Base Son in the Memoranda mean?

Kinsey

It means illigitimate

Hi all

It's probably really simple but, what does Base Son in the Memoranda mean?

Kinsey

A base-born individual was an illegitimate child; born out of wedlock, etc

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

It means that the child was illegitimate. Base child is the term most commonly used, but sometimes the term "natural child" is also used.

In these days, "natural child" tends to mean something else, e.g. not adopted, but in older records it is synonymous with "base".

It is also not uncommon to see "single woman" entered into the mother's occupation column.

The father's surname is sometimes used as a middle name, and from time to time there will be a notation of whom the father is included in the record.

Thanks and sorry.
I did search the forum but couldn't see anything, must be past my bedtime!

Thanks and sorry.
I did search the forum but couldn't see anything, must be past my bedtime!

No apology required :-)

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

http://www.moonfleetonline.co.uk/history/illegitimacy/

'How illegitimacy was recorded

PARISH REGISTERS
There are a number of latin words used to denote illegitimacy

ignotus = unknown (ie father unknown)
spurius = spurious
filius populi = son of the people, this is usually used where the father was a local lad but could be one of several
filius nullius = son of none, usually used where the father was a stranger or the girl would not give any information about him
There are also a number of English words used in parish registers to convey illegitimacy, base, bastard, spurious, imputed, misbegotten, chance begotten.

Sometimes a child would be described in the baptism register as

Baptised William son of Sarah Smith and the reputed son of William Brown.'