Completed Pontop Congregation - List of Communicants

[kossie]

Thank you Stan and R.T.A. for your comments.

I have looked at my research notes and have not any date recorded - if my memory serves me correctly I think it was actually noted at the end of the year. However it is my intention to order the film again at the history centre and I will check to see when the comment was entered.

Once again, many thanks for your input.

Dorothy

[Mr J T Arthur]

In 1993 Michael Gandy of the Catholic Family History Society published a booklet entitled 'Catholic Missions and Registers 1700 - 1880'  and this is how he describes the meaning of communicants.

Communicants: Easter Duties or First Communion

"In the early years these are always lists of those who took communion at Easter --- the minimum requirement of a practicing Catholic. The lists may be headed Easter Communicants or Easter Duties and are practically a census of adults in good standing. Later they may refer to the First Communion of children though in the 19th century this was often taken at the same time as Confirmation. When I know which was involved I have shown it, otherwise the reference should be taken as applying to Easter Duties."

J.T.A.

[kossie]

R.T.A.

Many thanks for the information much appreciated.

Dorothy