Baptism after Birth

[stanmapstone]

If the baby was very poorly, and thought unlikely to live, baptism could be done soon after birth. 

Called "Private Baptism". A private baptism was administered if the child was not expected to live, but it does not necessarily mean it died. If the child survived it ought to be brought to the Church as soon as possible to be received as a member of " the flock of true Christian people". A private baptism may be administered at any time or place. Just to add that it has always been recognised in ecclesiastical law that a person who is not  a clergyman, can baptise in an emergency,

There are numerous posts on RootsChat about baptisms and private baptisms.

Stan

[Jebber]

Following on from previous replies.

Some people are not baptised until much later in life. I have a couple of people in my husband's tree who were not baptised until several years after their marriages. Also it is not unknown for someone to be baptised just prior to their death, so that gives a very wide period in which to look for a baptism.