Legitimate/Illegitimate

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Back in 1999 when I had my daughter, I was given my pregnancy record and her birth details. I was moved from a cottage hospital to a general hospital but had to be taken back to the original hospital after birth so had her/my records.

Whilst travelling between the hospitals I flicked through the file (rightly or wrongly) and came across the actual birth records of my daughter. Firstly I was shocked by the tick list they had, i.e. Dead or Alive (they had ticked Alive) and then Legitimate or Illigitimate? I was not married to the father and of course the obvious was ticked.

This really shocked us both at the time. I foolishly believed that this was an unknown father and not because we were not married.

What I want to know, is, if this is still the case, are our newborn babies classified in such an archaic way? In the modern world, is it right even back in 1999 for children to be classified legitimate/iligitimate?

[lastchance]

It is not right to do this, in this day and age, but I suppose for records they have to. My 3 daughters were to the same father and all classed as iligitimate. It used to bother me but not now, I feel more proud that at least they are all real full sisters. It also has never made a difference to there lives when i did seperate from their father everyone had assumed we were married anyway .

[Hellion]

It is shocking but.......having helped my dad trace our family tree these seemingly heartless records build up to a fascinating story later down the line!

[mycats]

Well if you were not married then they ARE illigitimate.
Dont worry about it lol I am, so is my son.
In the old days they used to write "*******" on the birth certificate, because of course thats what the word means. Then they still wrote "illigitinmate" on birth certs. at least they dont do that anymore.
I do understand why you are asking though. Why is it even relevant??

[mycats]

the starred out word was "bustard" with an a instead of the U lol

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Well thanks for that mycats. Very informative!

I dont think we need educating on the words used. I am talking about the fact that in this day an age when same sex couples can have a legal partnership isnt it about time we accepted that not all couples want to marry and therefore their children should be accepted as legitimate?

If it doesnt matter then why have it on the forms in the first place!

How many fathers have stood next to their wives while they gave birth to another mans child - yet they still get a legitimate 'tick' on the form!

[mycats]

er Excuse me! I was only replying to your post! Wont happen again