bastardy proceeding

Meaning

A legal action brought by a mother or parish authorities to determine the paternity of a child born outside of marriage and to establish the father's obligation to pay child support.

Examples

• The court records from 1850 contain a detailed account of a bastardy proceeding brought against the local blacksmith.
• Parish officials often initiated a bastardy proceeding to ensure the community would not be burdened by the costs of supporting an illegitimate child.