Hi Norma. I'd explained the Non-conformist / Anglican Baptism to myself as they were possibly using the Anglican baptism as a kind of "Insurance Policy" for parish relief. However, if I've got the correct person, then the N/C Baptism would have been a child too, which Rob said was unlikely as they are baptised as adults. So it's back to the drawing board for me. As to your problem. Liverpool and Birkenhead were quite a distance apart before the ferry and tunnel. Perhaps they had family on both sides who wanted to witness the Christening and they thought "What the heck, lets just have two." Just an idea. Cheers, Chris -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:eng-warks- Hello Graham, Although not non-conformist, my grandfather's sister, Rachel BROWN was christened twice. In the Parish Register of St Peter's, Liverpool, I found: -1871: baptised 1 Oct, born 17 April; Rachel, daughter of William Jackson and Mary BROWN, waterman, Birkenhead Not long after, a friend found another baptism for the same child at St Anne's, Birkenhead: -1871: Rachel, daughter of William Jackson and Mary BROWN, flatman, Flamank Street, Birkenhead, bapt 27 Aug I agree that it's unusual, but would anyone know if there was some reason why this would happen in Anglican churches? TIA, Norma in Mosgiel nr Dunedin, New Zealand

Dear Graeme, As I understand it prior to 1 July 1837, records of births, christenings (infant baptism), marriages and deaths were in the hands of clergymen of the Church of England. However Baptist births were not automatically recorded in parish records., because they conscientiously disfavoured infant baptism. A court of law often would recognised an extract from the parish records as a valid legal document, whereas Nonconformist records were usually not recognised. So you have some families in order to protect their rights conforming. Early legislation in 1695 and 1700 required Dissenter's births to be reported to the parish either to be added to the register or entered into a separate book. But this may not have been done and not all churches kept their own records. More likely of adult/believers baptism than of births. Good hunting. Ros from South Australia. You may find Geoffrey Breed's book "My ancestors were Baptists" a help.