The GEDCOM specification says: BAPL {BAPTISM-LDS}:= The event of baptism performed at age eight or later by priesthood authority of the LDS Church. BAPM {BAPTISM}:= The event of baptism (not LDS), performed in infancy or later. (See also BAPL, above, and CHR below). CHR {CHRISTENING}:= The religious event (not LDS) of baptizing and/or naming a child. CHRA {ADULT_CHRISTENING}:= The religious event (not LDS) of baptizing and/or naming an adult person. In FH there is nothing stopping you changing the name/label of CHRA to "Baptism (adult)". Regards, Mike Tate -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of ColeValleyGirl Sent: 11 January 2014 18:50 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [FHU] Christenings vs baptism I use the event which corresponds to how the church or chapel in question referred to it. So, almost always that's baptism, whether it's a child or adult baptism. I've never found a record that referred to a christening, other than an informal invitation to a "christening" which was either actually a baptism or part of a baptism ceremony (usually Catholic). Jackie said: <snippet> I know there has been some discussion regarding this, but I use christening for a baby or child, but sometimes you get an adult being 'baptised' (say before they marry, which was quite common), so that is when I show the difference. <snippet> And Mike said: <snippet> There is the Standard GEDCOM Event "Christening (adult)" intended for that very purpose. <snippet>

Mike, At the risk of re-hashing old discussions, the problem with the Gedcom specification is that it is loaded by LDS practice - "age eight", "infancy or later", - age is irrelevant, so is naming. Christ-en-ing means "making one a Christian" and this is done by Baptism - there is no difference. Loose terminology in popular practice tends to fog the issue, but as you indicate Gedcom is supposed to be precise. What happens outside Christian practice may require a different terminology. David Gynes makes the point pretty clearly from a "professional" point of view. Kind regards. John Lockley -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Beryl & Mike Tate Sent: 11 January 2014 19:57 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [FHU] Christenings vs baptism The GEDCOM specification says: BAPL {BAPTISM-LDS}:= The event of baptism performed at age eight or later by priesthood authority of the LDS Church. BAPM {BAPTISM}:= The event of baptism (not LDS), performed in infancy or later. (See also BAPL, above, and CHR below). CHR {CHRISTENING}:= The religious event (not LDS) of baptizing and/or naming a child. CHRA {ADULT_CHRISTENING}:= The religious event (not LDS) of baptizing and/or naming an adult person. In FH there is nothing stopping you changing the name/label of CHRA to "Baptism (adult)". Regards, Mike Tate