People wait to do things for a variety of reasons. This couple waited to baptize their children until the oldest one was seven years old–despite the fact that their denomination practiced infant baptism.
I’m not certain of the reason. The church had a regular pastor when the children were born so there may have been another reason.
Don’t assume things always happen when they “are supposed to” and don’t assume all documents “get recorded immediately.” They don’t.
If you can’t find it–look in the records a little later. Someone may just have a little slower than other people.
5 Responses
Yes, it seems like there is ALWAYS one who takes their own sweet time in getting things done, either young or old.
A family in the next generation of our clan waited to baptize the oldest son until the youngest was about 2. There was quite a celebration held, in line with the father’s cultural traditions. I don’t know the specific reason for waiting, but it may have been in hopes that the paternal grandparents could be brought here for the event from outside the U.S.
Don’t forget private baptisms that occurred when a baby was born ill, looked like it might not survive, and was baptized right away.
Sometimes the baptism records record the date of the child’s formal reception into the church and not the actual date of a private baptism. I’ve encountered this several times in Angican baptismal records.
It might be that they weren’t members of this church or denomination until then. My perhaps great aunt wasn’t baptized until she was 20. It might have been into her prospective husband’s church although her brother had his children baptized in his church at various ages. Opportunity, maybe.
Keep in mind there may not have been a priest or minister in the area where they lived. The baptism would take place when the priest/minister came through the area. Many Catholics living on the plains didn’t have a parish church nearby.