Fornication and baptism

[Seoras]

Puzzled a bit by this birth,begotten in fornication,which I presume means they were not married.However I have another birth for this couple three years earlier also begotten in fornication.Weren't the church preaching hell and damnation at this time (1738).Were couples just living together this early? both children receive baptism.It's Abercorn,Scotland,a tiny place even today.

George.

[Ruskie]

Yes, I believe it means they were illegitimate. Lovely turn of phrase. 

[Seoras]

It seems to have been a family trait Ruskie,fornicating

[danuslave]

Hi George

On a recent thread it was stated that the Church was usually willing to baptise infants, whatever the circumstances of their birth.  Presumably those born out of wedlock were deemed to be in even greater need of 'saving'?

Linda

[danuslave]

It seems to have been a family trait Ruskie,fornicating

I hesitate to ask - is it a current occupation??   

Linda

[Ruskie]

It seems to have been a family trait Ruskie,fornicating

 

[Seoras]

Thanks Linda,all I am saying is even my grandfather was illigitimate so it's in the genes

[Seoras]

And my mother was 8 months pregnant with me when she married.It would appear I come from a long line of serial fornicators

[danuslave]

Better than serial killers!

I have read that in some areas it was common for the woman to be pregnant at the time of the marriage - possibly to prove that she could actually have children??

Linda