Parish Record Side Notes Sorted Thank you!

[vinpip]

Hi

I have been looking through Staffordshire Parish Records and have found a P. in the margin next to the baptisms of some children.
Two of the children I know to have died later in early childhood. Is it connected to this? Can anybody tell me what the P. stands for please?

Thanks in advance

[SmallTownGirl]

P stands for Private, as in Private Baptism.  Means that the child was baptised at home rather than in the church itself. 

Often if there's a P, there will also be a note and a date when the child was "received into the congregation", meaning that was the date the child was first brought to church.

STG

[vinpip]

Thanks SmallTownGirl
As there are no dates next to the children I am interested in I guess it is because they were never received into the church as they died?
What were the reasons for a private baptism at home?

[stanmapstone]

If the child is not expected to live, and is in danger of death, a private baptism may be administered at any time or place.
Stan

[SmallTownGirl]

Children were mostly baptised at home if they were thought to be unlikely to live.

There isn't always a note about the received into the congregation date, so the absence of such a note doesn't necessarily mean that the child died.  I just thought I'd explain what that meant at the same time as the P, so that you'd know it if you saw it elsewhere in a register.

Sorry if I confused you.
STG

[Craclyn]

One reason may have been that the child was not expected to live long enough to be baptized at church.

[stanmapstone]

Just to add that it has always been recognised in ecclesiastical law that a person who is not  a clergyman, can baptize in an emergency,


Stan

[vinpip]

Thanks for that Stan.

STG no not at all. It was me just trying to link up what I knew about the children, Your explanation was great. Thanks again.

[vinpip]

Thanks Craclyn and indeed everyone. You have been so helpful