Here's an open question on which I would welcome input from the list. The custom in the Catholic Church over at least the last 80 years is that the baptismal sponsors are considered "god parents" to the individual being baptized. I say 80 years because my father spoke of his god parents so I know the custom was around in the early 1920s. The role of the god parents was to ensure the Catholic up bringing of the child should something happen to the child's parents before he was fully grown. Whether this was more for the benefit of the child or the church is a subject for another day. In the church records from 1850 through the early 20th century there are usually two baptismal sponsors and one is normally male and the other female. They are usually brothers, sisters or close friends of the parents of the child being baptized. In most cases they are similar in age to the parents. My question is this: What were the criteria for selecting baptismal sponsors in the 19th century and did they have the same role and responsibilities as the "god parents" of the 20th century? The reason for the question is that in the 19th century baptismal records every once in a while I will see a baptismal sponsor that is a grandparent or a great uncle of the child being baptized. Their life expectancy would not ensure that they would live long enough to fulfill the functions of a god parent should the need arise. Thanks for your help. Mike McGraw Austin, TX