Clever Ezekiel born once, christened twice.

[Sandra Parker]

Can anyone sort out when Ezekiel was really born, and when and where he was christened? He obviously didn't have a problem with his parents. As Thelverton and Diss aren't too far apart, either is feasible, but surely not both!
Sandra

England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
Ezekiel Chilvers baptism/christening date: 07 Dec 1828 Thelveton, Norfolk, England
father's name: Isaac Chilvers mother's name: Maria
indexing project (batch) number: I02259-4 system origin: England-EASy source film number: 1471072
and
Ezekiel Chilvers birth 12 Nov 1828
baptism/christening 13 Dec 1831 baptism/christening place:
WESLEYAN METHODIST,DISS,NORFOLK,ENGLAND
birth date: 12 Nov 1828
father's name: Isaac Chilvers mother's name: Maria Withers
indexing project (batch) no; C07493-1 system origin: England-ODM source film no; 596996

[Jan1954]

Why not both? One is the Parish Church and the other is Weslyan.

My great grandparents were both christened in their respective Parish church, but then converted to being Baptists. Hence, they had a second baptism into the Baptist movement. Meanwhile, their eldest child had already been christened in the Parish Church and was then baptised as a Baptist a couple of years later following his parents taking up that branch of religion.

I hope that this helps,

[olliecat]

England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
Ezekiel Chilvers baptism/christening date: 07 Dec 1828 Thelveton, Norfolk, England
father's name: Isaac Chilvers mother's name: Maria
indexing project (batch) number: I02259-4 system origin: England-EASy source film number: 1471072

The source film number identifies this as an entry from the Bishop's transcripts for the Archdeaconry of Norfolk, 1686-1941.

You can view the entry for yourself here. See the last entry on the page.

The date looks correct.

[olliecat]

Ezekiel Chilvers birth 12 Nov 1828
baptism/christening 13 Dec 1831 baptism/christening place:
WESLEYAN METHODIST,DISS,NORFOLK,ENGLAND
birth date: 12 Nov 1828
father's name: Isaac Chilvers mother's name: Maria Withers
indexing project (batch) no; C07493-1 system origin: England-ODM source film no; 596996

You can view the original of this on thegenealogist.co.uk or bmdregisters.co.uk. The birth date and baptism date are correct but he was actually baptised at Dickleborough. His father was recorded as being of the parish of Thelveton.

As Jan has mentioned, Ezekiel could well have been baptised originally in 1828 in the parish church of Thelveton and then baptised again 3 years later after his parents converted to Wesleyan Methodist.

Edit: I've just noticed that as well as Ezekiel, two other children by these parents were also baptised on 13 Dec 1831, Emma (born 1825) and Esau (born 1831.) It looks like Emma was also baptised previously on 27 Nov 1825 in the parish church. However, Esau appears to have only been baptised once and this goes for another child Enoch who was born/baptised and recorded in Wesleyan Methodist register in 1835. All this adds some weight to the theory that the parents changed their religion between 1828 and 1831 and so decided to baptise their two eldest children again.

[Peter Goodey]

We have an established church in this country. Many people (not least of all the clergy) saw baptism in the parish church as the "official" birth registration. There was a perception that this also helped to establish settlement. Baptism into another denomination would then be an optional extra.

Also check where Grandma lived and whether the two families of the couple may have had differing affiliations. Going back another generation can answer many questions.

[olliecat]

I meant to but forgot to post the parish register entry for Ezekial, as well as the entry from the bishops transcript which I gave you a link to in post #3.

• Thelveton parish register entry for Ezekial Chilvers
  
  
• Also, here is the entry for Emma Chilvers

Just in case you don't have them already.

[Sandra Parker]

Thank you all very much. As usual you managed to clarify my confusion and make sense of the bits and pieces available.
Obviously the parents were determined to ensure the future of the family and give them a head start in their religious life - or maybe keep grandparents on both sides, happy.
Thanks again
Sandra and her somewhat overwhelmed spectacled aura.