I need help regarding church records between 1774-1876 (specifically baptismal records). I am quite confuse with the name of the child or children on the record. What I mean is... is it common that a child to have 3, 4 or even 5 names or is it possible that the parents had some their children baptised at the same time? Thanks for the help.

can you post one of the documents so we can see what you are talking about? It will make it easier.

I am not sure what region you are looking at but in my town 3 names was not uncommon and I have seen quite a few with 4 names. I think James Bianco knows quite a bit about church records. Perhaps he will jump in here.

casa28 wrote:

I need help regarding church records between 1774-1876 (specifically baptismal records). I am quite confuse with the name of the child or children on the record. What I mean is... is it common that a child to have 3, 4 or even 5 names or is it possible that the parents had some their children baptised at the same time? Thanks for the help.

Especially in the 18th Century (1700s) it is common for the child to have up to 5 given names on a baptismal record. Surprisingly in life they may have used any of them, it is not always the first. It is very uncommon to have children of the same parents (who are not twins) baptized at one time. It was essential to have your infant baptized as soon as possible to birth (most commonly the same or next day). It would be highly unlikely any Italian Catholic parent would have waited therefore 9 months.

That has been my (rather extensive) experience.


Jim

It is the top one, name was Anna Rosa Michela Curcio. Why I asked to the question earlier, some names would appear e.g. "Anna, Rosa et Michela." So I would assume there was three separate children. Thanks again for the help.

Hi Casa28,

When asked what the comma in a name means, this is the information given on a site by an italian member, hope it helps.

It all depends how the birth act was written, who made the call and what they wanted the baby to be named.

Stato Civile Laws explain how to consider names in a birth act. This is how it works.........

If before the name there is the formula "dà i nomI di" (he gives the names of) only the first name is considered. Example:
"dà i nomi di Antonia Maria, Elena" for italian laws only the name Antonia is considered.

If before the name there is the formula "dà il nomE di" (he gives the name of) all the names before the comma are considered.Example:
"dà il nome di Antonia Maria, Elena" for italian laws Antonia Maria is considered.

In every case every name after the comma is not considered.

Ask for an integral copy of the birth act (copia integrale dell'atto di nascita) to see the exact name.

Elizabeth

Thank you !!!!!

Please be aware that The Civil Registrar (Stato Civile) and The Catholic church recorded events of Baptism/Birth, Marriage and Burial/Death according to a completely different set of rules. While The Stato Civile was much more specific in what was to be recorded and in which format, The Catholic Church varied Comune to Comune and Priest to Priest.


Jim

I agree with James: there wasn't a specific rule for the church records and, moreover, sometimes (during their life) they didn't use the first name indicates in the baptismal record, but the second or even the third (exceptionaly even another one!!!)

Luca