An illegitimate birth is not necessarily a 'dead end' in genealogy. Family historians can sometimes identify the child's biological father by using various documents in record offices and libraries.

Names of mothers and children listed below came from many different series of records, some more informative than others. The original document gives the putative father's name and often other details, which may include his place of residence, occupation, age, nationality or place of origin, a detailed physical description or a photograph, or clues that lead to Court or prison records. The mother's address, occupation and other details are sometimes shown.

In most cases the document that I've indexed names the child's mother. It is less common for the child's name to be mentioned. Read this explanation VERY carefully before you check the list of names.

Explanation of names below:

• Illegitimate CHILDREN have [child] after their name.
• Other names are MOTHERS of illegitimate children. Most lived in Australia (there are names from all Australian States) but a few were overseas. Women sometimes went to another State for the birth.
• A few of the children were stillborn, and the birth/death may not have been registered.
• Names are from more than one hundred record series (many of them in State Archives).
• For each child or mother listed below, I have access to a document that names the FATHER of the child. To discover his name, order a copy of the document as explained below.
• Names are from various dates between 1858 and 1964.
• Names without a surname, eg 'Nina (Aboriginal)', are listed under the first letter of the name.
• Scroll through the list. Many names were spelled incorrectly in the records.
• Names beginning with 'Mc' precede other 'M' surnames.
• Apostrophes have been removed from names such as O'DONNELL.
• In an entry such as 'SIMPSON .. (daughter of Mary SIMPSON)', the illegitimate child's mother is a daughter of Mary SIMPSON.
• If there are several entries for a name, investigate them all. There are often several records with different information about the same person.
• If the list does not yet include the name you're looking for:
  1. Ask me to consider indexing records for specific places/years.
  2. Watch for more names to be added as indexing progresses. Additions are often mentioned on my 'What's New' page. To keep track of which names you've looked for, and when you last looked, use the checklists available on my free downloads page.
  3. See 'Other suggestions' (one of which is the mini-guide 'Researching Illegitimate Children', with a list of useful sources and research strategies).
• For names below, if you need more information or copies of original records, see 'Research/Copying Service' for instructions.

Check the list above to see whether it includes the name of the child (marked [child]) or (more likely) the child's mother. If it does not, see 'Other suggestions'.

It is your responsibility to read the the instructions (below), and the EXPLANATION at the top of the page, very carefully! The copying service is ONLY for names ON THIS PAGE. For other names, see 'Other suggestions'.

Genealogy is my business (not just a hobby), and I've spent almost 40 years learning about (and indexing) original records, so I charge fees for my time, regardless of the result. It takes time to consult my index and source notes, email you, travel to a record office in Brisbane, find the relevant bundle/volume and file/page, take digital photos of the document, etc.

Option No.1: Illegitimate INDEX: Record series & Quote.
Cost: $4 for one entry, plus $2 for each additional entry (same name or different names, up to a maximum of 8 entries per day).

To send a request, follow these steps:

1. Calculate the cost ($4 for one entry, plus $2 each for extras).
2. Send payment by any of the methods described here (opens in a new window).
3. In an email, type 'Illegitimate INDEX: Record series and Quote', and...
4. List the entries you want (ONLY names shown on THIS PAGE) (8 maximum per day). Don't send biographical details - just the names.
5. In your email, tell me the payment date, amount and method, and (if available) your alternative email address.
6. Send the email to the address shown on the payment page.

• I will say, 'The birth would have been before..' (my email will tell you what year).
• Brief description of the likely contents of the record series.
• No-obligation quote for a digital image of the original record.

To send a request, follow these steps:

1. Calculate the cost ($8 for one entry, plus $2 each for extras).
2. Send payment by any of the methods described here (opens in a new window).
3. In an email, type 'Illegitimate Index: Record series, Quote & Mini-guide', and...
4. List the entries you want (ONLY names shown on THIS PAGE) (8 maximum per day). Don't send biographical details - just the names.
5. In your email, tell me the payment date, amount and method, and (if available) your alternative email address.
6. Send the email to the address shown on the payment page.

• I will say, 'The birth would have been before..' (my email will tell you what year).
• Brief description of the likely contents of the record series.
• No-obligation quote for a digital image of the original record.
• 4-page mini-guide Researching Illegitimate Children (PDF) with advice on research strategies, and a long list of sources that may name the putative father.

Go back to the names or get more information

Other Suggestions (links open in new windows):

Check the Interim Index. Some mothers of illegitimate children are listed there instead of here (for various reasons).

I often add more names to these webpages. To keep track of which names you've looked for, and when you last looked, use the checklists available on my free downloads page.

Use DNA tests for genealogy (that page lists recommended tests, suggested reading, etc).

See my mini-guide 'Researching Illegitimate Children' for advice on research strategies, and a list of sources that may name the child's father.

Ask me to consider indexing records for specific places/years.

When more names are added to this page, I'll announce it on What's New.

Check the list of Neglected, Adopted or Orphaned Children, and the Sydney Benevolent Asylum Index 1857-1900 (includes unmarried mothers from NSW, Qld etc) and Helen Harris's indexes (Infant Life Protection Act; Missing people; Wife/child deserters) which are especially useful for Victoria.

No index is perfect, so the more indexes you use, the more likely you are to find 'missing' entries. Check the earlier version of Queensland birth indexes up to and including 1919 (link opens a search page in a new window).

Search this site  (do NOT use apostrophes; read search results page carefully)