Illegitimate births

My MiL did not 'gossip' to me about her students (5 year olds) She gave me this information many years later and never mentioned names. She was talking in the 1970s about events happening in the 1930s - 1950s. The past is another country they do thing differently there.

She told me this in a discussion about child abuse and paedophilia. The extent of which was only then slowly beginning to be realised.She was explaining how different attitudes were then.

and also how much of it was actually about in the past.

One of my ancestors was transported to Australia for poaching and assaulting a Gamekeeper. His wife had a young baby at the time and several older children. A collection was made for her and the kids to go and join him, but she decided not to, probably for fear the baby would not survive the trip.

When he decided not to return at the end of his seven year sentence, his wife took the view life must go on - and had four more children!

I have found several illegitimicies and "shotgun marriages" in one part of my family tree, (but my direct ancestors were not among them). In another part of the tree a 3rd Gt Grandfather did not hide his fatherless status, but he was Scottish and provided the natural father acknowleged the child there was usually no shame attached. Somebody must have claimed him as he was properly educated and became well connected, which was unlikely if his mother was unsupported.