ABSTRACT
By the end of the nineteenth century there was a quickening of concern that the treatment of the children of the poor and the unwanted and illegitimate children in particular needed to be re-considered. Earlier in the century Peel had brought in a Health and Morals of Apprentices Act in 1802. The work by Andrew undoubtedly helped to pave the way to the Adoption Act of 1926. Adoption now became legalised and an illegitimate child could become the legitimate child of the adopting family. De facto adoption still took place, under the counter, but it was no longer the way most adoptions proceeded. The most controversial part of the legal adoption process that was taken on board by the Adoption Act was Andrew’s belief that records about the child’s natural parents must be kept secret. The belief that the adopted child should have no information about his or her natural parents has been challenged by many adoptees.
