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Archiver > NCBERTIE > 2004-08 > 1091764221


From: "Marianne Ordway" <>
Subject: DNA & Orphans notes
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 23:50:21 -0400


Robert shared these points on the subject:

Up until about 1900, and in some places much later, children were
considered orphans if their father died while the child(ren) were
younger than the legal age. Women had no basic rights and often
were not allowed to be guardians of their own children. Women often
returned to their parent's home or to the home of a brother or a
married sister; thereby the multiple surnames within a family unit
on the census. Court records might be found where/when a male
family member or friend was designated as guardian.



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