MAWORCES-L Archives

Archiver > MAWORCES > 2002-09 > 1032088321


From: "Alison Franks" <>
Subject: Re: [MAWORCES] Probate lookup SAWYER
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 05:12:01 -0600
References: <16a.13be3f46.2ab53861@aol.com>


Women in History!

Women were {and still are to some extent} considered second class citizens
and not entitled to hold office, have money, own property, etc. In the
early times, any probably bestowed on a woman by her father or other person,
was summarily taken over by the husband/brother, etc.

In the case of the husband dying and minor children were involved, the
mother did have to petition the court for guardianship of her children.
Some of the time she was unsuccessful, be it if she had enough money to care
for them, etc.

Also, this can work in another way. If the remaining parent was remarrying,
often times, the new spouse didn't want the children from the previous
marriage.

Regards,
Alison Franks
Archivist, Rawson Family Association
----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2002 7:12 PM
Subject: Re: [MAWORCES] Probate lookup SAWYER


> In a message dated 9/13/02 7:52:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time, writes:
>
> << << Record date 1863
> Surname SAWYER
> Given name Frank A.
> Residence: Worcester
> Record type: Guardianship
> Trying to trace parents of this Framk A. Also relationship of guardian
to
> Frank A. >>
> Richard,
> Don't assume that Frank's mother is dead, she may be, but she may be
the
> "guardian" in that record. The rights of women have changed since 1863.
Does
> anyone on the list care to summarize for us why women had to apply for
> guardianship of their children upon the death of their spouse? I'm not
sure I
> know. Each time I have found the mother as the guardian it was with in two
> years of the death of the childen's father.
> John
>
>
> ==== MAWORCES Mailing List ====
> Have you visited the ARCHIVES lately?
> http://www.rootsweb.com/~maworces/wo-gen.htm
>


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