I'm hoping to find the baptism of William Johnston in Dearham abt 1871. William was born 25th May 1871 to Jane Johnston in Scurr's Yard, Dearham. He was illegitimate, so am hoping the parish register might give a clue as to the father's name, as he is my direct ancestor. Jane was from Torpenhow, so I can see there would have been pressure for her to 'name names' as the foreign parish would be reluctant to support the child. I also believe that William's elder sister was illegitimate. She was born in 1869 in Dearham. Do you think there's a good chance of finding a bastardy bond? Does anyone have any experience of this?
Regards,
