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New South Wales - Legislation

Deserted Wives and Children Act 1840 (1840 - 1901)

  • Deserted Wives and Children Act 1840

    Deserted Wives and Children Act 1840, courtesy of NSW legislation.
    Details

From
1840
To
1901
Categories
Principal Act
Alternative Names
  • An Act to provide for the maintenance of Deserted Wives and Children (Long title)
Website
https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/asmade/act-1840-10a

The Deserted Wives and Children Act 1840 [10/1840 (4 Vic. No.5)] was created to protect women and children who had been 'deserted' by their husbands or fathers, and left without financial support. It included 'illegitimate' as well as legitimate children in its terms, so long as proving paternity didn't rest only on the mother's oath. This Act was amended in 1858 to allow Justices to 'place' children who were 'abandoned' by their parents in public institutions, such as the Destitute Children's Asylum, or any other public establishment. The Act was repealed by the Deserted Wives and Children Act 1901.

Timeline

 1840 - 1901 Deserted Wives and Children Act 1840
       1901 - 1964 Deserted Wives and Children Act 1901

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Deserted Wives and Children Act 1840
Title
Deserted Wives and Children Act 1840
Type
Document
Date
1840
Source
NSW legislation

Details

Prepared by: Liam Hogan