----- Original Message ----- From: "Philippa Garnsey" <pgar9629@bigpond.net.au> To: <ENG-WILTSHIRE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2006 2:15 PM Subject: [ENG-WIL] Private Baptism > I have two infants in my family who were recorded as being privately > baptised in the parish register. This was in 1817 in Salisbury. > > I assume that this means they were baptised in their home rather than the > parish church. They were twins so could have been premature and in danger of > dying before they could be baptised in the parish church. > > Could anyone comment on the reason for the private baptism? > > Many thanks > > Philippa Garnsey > Sydney > Hi Philippa! You've basically answered your own question correctly. However, some private baptims were held in the houses of the well-to-do rather than in the church in front of the congregation. You have coincidentally hit upon another point of interest. Whilst it is normally (and essentially correctly) assumed that 'baptism' is a synonym for 'christening', some clergymen used the latter term essentially for the church ceremony. Thus, I have encountered in parish registers entries such as 'baptised 27 May', 'christened 18 August'. In other words, if a sickly child in fact survived, there was sometimes a full church service later, which might be termed 'christening' though, of course, the child would not be baptised twice. Best wishes Paul

The private baptism of a child who was not expected to live was sometimes known as a "half baptism". The thinking was that this would enable the soul of the dead child to "enter into the kingdom of heaven", although the child was not recognised as being a full member of the congregation. If the child survived, there was sometimes a further ceremony conducted at a Sunday service to "bring the child into church". (Meaning to accept the child into the congregation). See the following transcription from the Parish Registers of SS Peter & Paul, Charlton by Dover, Kent. (The entry is for my Great-Great-Grandfather's brother). "25th February 1839 private baptism of Edward Samuel son of Stephen and Elizabeth DIXON, Labourer. Brought into Church 2nd June 1839" (Edward lived to be 80). All the best Dave Dixon -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.10/383 - Release Date: 07/07/2006