In this instance I will have to record the 1827 Thomas as being an ancestor
even though I cannot find a marriage or death that will match.

I use GenoPro and can highlite his record in a different colour which makes
it stand out so that future generations can decide for themselves.

Yes you are quite correct in showing that duplication of a christian name
by parents can and does occur.

Thanks again for the comments.

However with the large age gap I still think you are looking at adult baptism.

I think I am going to have to simply accept and record the 2 baptisms
for Thomas for whatever reason it was done, or at least until more (if
any) genealogy info comes to light.

Thanks again to all that responeded.

Other thing is the infamous Poor Laws. If a family moved domicile perhaps the parents had the pre-existing children baptized in the new Parish, thus strengthening their right to be there. If they were unfortunate enough to have to claim on the parish they might receive a removal order to the original parish. I had suspicions of this in my own family between Mitcheltroy, Mon. and Redbrook, Glos. although it came to nothing (so far).

Roger

1662 Prayer Book on the private baptism of infants

"The Minister of every parish shall warn the people that without great cause and necessity they procure not their children to be baptized at home in their houses. But when need shall compel them so to do, then Baptism shall be administered on this fashion:
First, let the Minister of the Parish (or, in his absence, any other lawful Minister that can be procured) with them that are present, call upon God, and say the Lord's Prayer, and so many of the Collects appointed to be said before in the form of Publick Baptism, as the time and present exigence will suffer. And then, the Child being named by some one that is present, the Minister shall pour Water upon it, saying these words;
I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then, all kneeling down, the Minister shall give thanks unto God, and say,
E yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Infant with thy Holy Spirit, to receive him for thine own Child by adoption, and to incorporate him into thy holy Church. And we humbly beseech thee to grant, that as he is now made partaker of the death of thy Son, so he may be also of his resurrection; and that finally, with the residue of thy Saints, he may inherit thine everlasting kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And let them not doubt, but that the Child so baptized is lawfully and sufficiently baptized, and ought not to be baptized again. Yet nevertheless, if the Child, which is after this sort baptized, do afterward live, it is expedient that it be brought into the Church, to the intent that, if the Minister of the same Parish did himself baptize that Child, the Congregation may be certified of the true form of Baptism, by him privately before used: In which case he shall say thus, CERTIFY you, that according to the due and prescribed Order of the Church, at such a time, and at such a place, before divers witnesses I baptized this Child.

But if the Child were baptized by any other lawful Minister, then the Minister of the Parish, where the Child was born or christened, shall examine and try whether the Child be lawfully baptized, or no. In which case, if those that bring any Child to the Church do answer, that the same Child is already baptized, then shall the Minister examine them further, saying,
Y whom was this Child baptized?
Who was present when this Child was baptized?
Because some things essential to this Sacrament may happen to be omitted through fear or haste, in such times of extremity; therefore I demand further of you,
With what matter was this Child baptized?
With what words was this Child baptized?

And if the Minister shall find by the answers of such as bring the Child, that all things were done as they ought to be; then shall not he christen the Child again, but shall receive him as one of the flock of true Christian people, saying thus, CERTIFY you, that in this case all is well done, and according unto due order, concerning the baptizing of this Child; who being born in original sin, and in the wrath of God, is now, by the laver of Regeneration in Baptism, received into the number of the children of God, and heirs of everlasting life: for our Lord Jesus Christ doth not deny his grace and mercy unto such Infants, but most lovingly doth call them unto him, as the holy Gospel doth witness to our comfort on this wise."

As I understand there are two aspects to the normal baptismal service - firstly, put simply, the bringing of the child to Christ. Secondly the entrance of the child into the church - the latter being of necessity in the church building. The bringing of the child to the church I believe is why two records of baptism being given; there being no way other way to make an official record.
the coming

Here are the transcripts for both baptisms.

Record_ID: 85126
Entry_Number: 855
Year: 1809
Month: Aug
Day: 20
Parents_Surname: SADLER
Child_Forenames: Thomas
Fathers_Forenames: Thomas
Mothers_Forenames: Esther
Mothers_Surname:
Residence:
Occupation:
Officiating_Minister: E Evans
Event: Baptism
Memoranda: Born 6 Aug
Notes:
Register_Reference: P125 IN 1/10
Page_Number: 85
Parish_Chapel: Dymock
Soundex: S346
_________________________________

Record_ID: 18423
Entry_Number: 700
Year: 1827
Month: Jul
Day: 29
Parents_Surname: SADDLER
Child_Forenames: Thomas
Fathers_Forenames: Thomas
Mothers_Forenames: Esther
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: Greenway
Occupation: Nailer
Officiating_Minister:
Event: Baptism
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P125 IN 1/14
Page_Number: 88
Parish_Chapel: Dymock
Soundex: S346

I have to admit that I am not at all versed in matters of the church
or baptism rites etc, but I assume both of the above were conducted
in the same parish chuch but 18 years apart, and should I also assume
that one can, or could, be baptised more than once and at the same
church.

Thanks.

Yes I can see the point if a child is in danger of not surviving after
birth and a quick or private baptism is conducted, but in the case of
my ancestor he was first baptised 14 days after birth in 1809 and the
next baptism was 18 years later?.

I also considered the possibility of a transcription error but the IGI
also have transcribed the same records, so maybe I have to record both
baptisms for this person and leave it at that!.

Thanks again to you all for the input.

grafix.

I have also had this happen to an ancestor of mine.

Pete

However! the parish records of Dymock also show another Thomas (baptism only) in 1828 to the same parents, the only difference in the name being the spelling as Saddler.

There is no death/burial of a Thomas recorded that may have indicated the reason of another Thomas being born and I know the 1809 Thomas died in
1888 aged 79 at Dymock.

My first thought was perhaps he was baptised twice, but that makes no sense as
the first baptism was/is still recorded in 1809, so any guidance/suggestions from the forum members would be appreciated.

Thanks