Eileen, I think you will see more out of wedlock births in the Matriz than in the smaller churches.
1) You'll probably have to send a link to the record you are seeing. I didn't think of the wet nurse as Doug da Rocha Holmes mentioned. However, there was a format that was to be followed. You do see these from time to time in the books. They put: "N, filho legitimo de N. e N..." where N = nome (name). The out of wedlock births seem to follow a format too, but I've never seen the form where they put N. for nome. I think the form was dictated by the Vatican. I've "read" French records in the same format. I'm sure others who have Italian, Spanish, or some other nationality that is Catholic will probably say the same thing. 2) The birth rate would have to be put in perspective of history. I just googled "illegitmate birth rate" and then "illegitmate birth rate historical" and saw a few links. I didn't see any back to the 1800s (and I didn't click on all the links), but I do see birth rates in America in the 1990s that range from 12% to 70% based on race. Hope this helps a little. Cheri Mello Listowner, Azores-Gen Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
