Multiple Family Baptisms (General)

by biddy , Tuesday, July 03, 2007, 14:21 (6355 days ago) @ nigel marshall

Nigel
When I was transcribing St Briavels baptisms I came on several of these 'mass' family baptisms where the Vicar had helpfully given the birth dates of the children, making it quite clear they were different ages. As in one case the father was a 'gentleman' I don't think it can have just been a matter of cost.

In some cases it was easy to understand - for instance one family's given address was Scotland; I assumed they were bringing the children back to their 'home' village for baptism - and understandably having two done at once.

The same Vicar also detailed birth dates on occasions where older children, and even adults, had been baptised, which made me realise why there sometimes seem to be discrepancies of age in censuses etc, if one wrongly assumes baptism always took place at an early stage.

Hope this is helpful.
Biddy