Latin script in parish records

[NedLudd]

Hello all Latin buffs

Whilst going through the Oranmore baptismal records I came across the following Latin script:

"Certe certo de statu liber Thomas Conolly" (well at least it looked like this).

My Latin is Altar Boy Latin, but if I had to guess at a meaning it would be: "assuredly this is the offspring of Thomas Conolly" - am I correct and in what circumstances would this be entered in against a baptismal record?

Many thanks

Ned

[teaurn]

Hi Ned,

I am no Latin buff,

But if your translation is correct could it be that the mother and father weren't married

[NedLudd]

Hi Teaurn

Many thanks (or Gratias) for the comments. My problem is that the parish records also mention when a child is illigitimate, and this is distinct from the records where the Latin text appears. Perhaps it is something to do with a dispute regarding paternity i.e. the Church is decreeing that Thomas Conolly is the father even though he claims that he isn't .

Ned