Genealogy Chat

Could someone please tell me the difference between a baptism and a christening. Looking at some parish records and it seems that some of my Hedges relatives from Aston Abbotts were both baptised and then christened. Many thanks Gill

I think that Christening is into the Christian faith and Baptism could be into any faith, not sure though.

Hi Gillian;; Definition;; Baptise; ;to christen;to give name to;to recive into religious sect; so seems like one of same; kay.

Thanks for your replies. I had thought they were one and the same thing but some of these people have been baptised first and then christened at a later date. I will go with the baptised date. thank you both Gill

Perhaps they were baptised in one faith and christened in another? nell

Baptism & Christening are the same thing. Baptism is a word that is in the Bible whereas Christening isn't. You can only be baptised once, although some people reject their infant baptism and go for full immersion as adults but they really shouldn't as it makes a mockery of infant baptism. You do find records of babies being baptised twice in the records, this could be that the baby was baptised at home as an emergency because they weren't expected to live, then later they were received into the church, often only the original record shows this with a RIC against the date. from a Baptism Co-ordinator

Thank you all so much it is now much clearer Many thanks Gill