Illegitimacy discussions

Rena, Bobbi, et al,
I neglected to mention that I can't remember ever seeing the father's name
annotated for the "uneheliche" - only the mother's name. So I think it
really is more akin to the modern British/American notion of illegitimate,
as opposed to a betrothed couple who might not have formalized their
relationship.
I didn't make an exhaustive or specific study of this, just something I
noticed in the course of poring over about 50 years' worth of Kirchenbuch
records.

Regards
Art

I would have to disagree with Art's comments regarding identification of the
fathers of illegitimate children. In the many church books I have researched
for the area of northern Hanover, Gyhum being one of them, the vast majority
do identify the father. Sometimes even those already married to another
woman.

Paul Scheele

I should have added to my remarks that I was writing
about the second great-grandparents in the Rhineland
and referencing things I have read and a lecture by
John Meinert on German marriage customs.

NONE of what I wrote may apply in Hannover.
I am not as well-versed in customs nor as knowledgeable
about the Hannover-Bremen side of the family.

Maureen