Why would a child NOT be baptised?

[Colin Rowledge]

There appears to be no problem for an unmarried girl having an illegitimate child, and having that child baptised.

Could an unmarried man, who the lady he fathered the child with deserted him, also baptise his child?

This birth took place in Cornwall about 1832.

[Nicolina]

some-one will correct me if I'm wrong but baptism wasn't/isn't a requirement. Also just because you haven't found a baptism around the time of birth doesn't mean to say that there was no baptism. It could even have been an adult baptism.

[stepives]

It's not unusual at all, to have baptisms by fathers only. I have come across this many times.

It was not a requirement, as mentioned, but the 'family' were frowned upon if they were living in a small community. Some churches would possibly refuse to marry said child, if they were not baptized. My Gt.Aunt was baptized at the age of 22, one week before her marriage.

My 2xGt. Granny was baptized by her Aunty, with only mothers name given.

If baptized, the child or family had a better chance of parish relief, if the need arose.


Steve.

[Colin Rowledge]

When she married in 1855, she married in a Register Office, so this lead me to believe she wasn't baptised. The man she married was illegitimate, but baptised by his mother and on the baptism record, she went on and indicated the name and occupation of the father.

Her non-baptism would seem to point to the church refusing to marry the couple.

From outward appearances, parish relief was not necessary for the family in question.

Colin

[stepives]

Believe it or not Colin, when I was preparing to get married in 1974, the Cleric asked if I had been baptized, when I was interviewed by him.
My answer was no. But being a forward and progressive Vicar, he didn't see it as a problem. He did go on to say, that most church officials would require a baptism of the bride and groom if it was needed.

Also, a registry office marriage was more convenient and cheaper, but non baptism could be a factor also, along with several other reasons.

I think there was an element of 'social blackmail' within the church at the time, which would also 'drive' people to the registry office.

How times have changed.


Steve.

[Colin Rowledge]

Also, a registry office marriage was more convenient and cheaper, but non baptism could be a factor also, along with several other reasons.

I think there was an element of 'social blackmail' within the church at the time, which would also 'drive' people to the registry office.

How times have changed.

Steve.

And How - and not necessarily for the better.

[Nicolina]

I wouldn't write too much into a Register Office wedding, Colin, if I were you. You couldn't get baptised into a much higher church than I was, yet I never considered a church wedding (either time), much to the disappointment of my father.
just thought. That was something else that I was the first at, and how. But that's another story.
For now it's back to the celebrations of my Silver wedding

[jac65]

Hi

Prior to 1898 only Church of England, Jewish & Quaker marriages were recognised, Non-Conformist marriages such as Catholic, Methodist etc were recorded (from 1837) as Register Office or Registrar Attended marriages. Some may have been in a non-conformist church with the Registrar in attendance and recorded in that particular faiths registers but in other cases the marriage may have been in the Register Office itself. The certificate would state where the marriage took place. Also, I have no doubt that some people just simply never went to church.

Unless you somehow know for certain that a person wasn't baptised I think you need to be cautious about saying that, because a baptism hasn't yet been found then they were not baptised.

Andy

[JenniLl]

Colin,

Have you looked at the non conformist registers? They usually record the birth of children of their members, and the man may have attended an NC church.

Also look for baptism prior to confirmation, which would probably be 12 upwards. Baptism is a pre requisite for confirmation.

Jenni

[Colin Rowledge]

Colin,

Have you looked at the non conformist registers? They usually record the birth of children of their members, and the man may have attended an NC church.

Also look for baptism prior to confirmation, which would probably be 12 upwards. Baptism is a pre requisite for confirmation.

Jenni

Have checked the Non-Conrformist records on OPC site for Cornwall and there is nothing showing.

As for baptisms that have been transcribed and on the web-site of the specific OPC, I have reviewed all baptisms for females regardless of given name and there is nothing that matches between 1832 and 1853 when the girl was aged 21.

Am not sure where I can find details of Confirmation - if in fact she was Confirmed - so how does one do this? Do I contact the OPC direct?

Colin