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Posthumous baptism

Posthumous baptism

Posted: 22 Apr 2014 2:36PM GMT
Classification: Query
Could anyone explain to me why it would say posthumous baptism in the notes of a baptism record? I am struggling to decide whether the posthumous bit would relate to the child being baptised (ie, they have already died) or if it relates to a dead parent, so perhaps the father died before the child was born?

Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers
Julie

Re: Posthumous baptism

Posted: 22 Apr 2014 3:37PM GMT
Classification: Query
If it actually says "posthumous baptism", then it will mean that one or both of the parents died before the child was baptised. Quite often, though, it will say "posthumous child of", which means that the child was born after the father had died, and possibly in very rare cases the mother. It could be recorded as such for the sake of inheritance or propriety or possibly both.

I don't think children were ever baptised once they had died, or at least, I've never seen any such record.

Chris

Re: Posthumous baptism

Posted: 22 Apr 2014 6:26PM GMT
Classification: Query
You don't say where you saw the record or what denomination your ancestor was. In case it's any help, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints practices baptism for the dead.

Re: Posthumous baptism

Posted: 23 Apr 2014 10:44AM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you both for such prompt replies. I am pretty sure they weren't mormons so it sounds like one of the parents had died, which does match up with some information I have on a death locally. I guess I can now put two and two together to make four!!
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