Regarding Rena's question, I can contribute what I observed browsing through
the Kirchenbuch from Gyhum (east of Bremen). In the early 1800's the pastor
listed baptisms (by name) in two categories, "eheliche" (honorable or
legitimate) and "uneheliche" (dishonorable or illegitimate). Most years in
this community there were a few dozen eheliche and one or two uneheliche.
However, one year I recall the pastor recorded in the uneheliche category
the word "Keine!" (none) - complete with exclamation point. So apparently
having none in a particular year was a big deal. I don't remember the
particular year, somewhere in the 1820s I believe.
Regards/mfG
Art