Ireland baptisms transcription errors on findmypast

[josey]

I can't find any earlier posting about this.....

It appears that many of the transcriptions of baptisms on findmypast from the parish registers have a particular error. I have noticed that many have the father's surname as the mother's surname because of the way they are written [this refers to ones I have looked at from Mullingar & Milltown parishes].

They are written as 'Thomas X son of Thomas & Ann Y', so child's surname is X but father's surname has been transcribed as Y whereas it is really the mother's maiden name. I have submitted a couple of corrections but will send an email to FindMyPast central & post back when I have had a response

[Sinann]

Came across this before but I don't think there has been a thread dedicated to it.

[KGarrad]

It has been traditional on the Isle of Man for baptism registers to name the mother by her maiden name.
Could the same thing be happening here?

Admittedly, a baptism usually says something like:
Henry, son of John Cleator & Mary Leece (i.e. both surnames mentioned)

[Sinann]

A mother is usually named by her maiden name on a Baptisim, there can sometimes be a lazy priest who doesn't bother, the problem is the transcription when they  say
Harry Cleator son of John and Mary Leece. Same thing as your example just the father's surname attached to the child not the father, which some transcribers misunderstood.

[josey]

Good explanation Sinann. Yes, I certainly understand that the name given is the mother's maiden name [and very useful it is in a baptism too] BUT it is not also the father's surname which should, in those days, be the same as the child's. It may have been in the instructions given to the transcribers, otherwise if it was a few transcribers who misunderstood, it should have been picked up at the review stage.

I'll let you know when/if I hear back from findmypast.

[KGarrad]

Looking at some baptism registers I have, the child was NOT given a surname at all!

Just listed as Fred, son of Thomas Brown and Anne Jones.
Or as in my previous example, Henry, son of John Cleator & Mary Leece.

I would look for the original register entry, rather than relying on a transcription.

[josey]

I had done that, which is why I had posted as in original post; see attached  image & transcription for Thomas Allen
First name(s)   Thomas
Last name   Allen
Birth year   -
Baptism year   1801Baptism date   24 Apr 1801
Parish   Milltown
Diocese   Meath
County   Westmeath
Country   Ireland
Father's first name(s)   Petro
Father's last name   Ward
Mother's first name(s)   Maria
Mother's last name   Ward

[heywood]

It is confusing.
Is that record:
Thomas Allen, illegit. of Petro and Maria Ward

Perhaps Peter Allen acknowledged his son

Added
I think it is an error of transcription but as so many others, it would be assumed and understood that the surname of the father was the same as the child.

[josey]

Is that record:
Thomas Allen, illegit. of Petro and Maria Ward
Perhaps Peter Allen acknowledged his son

AHHH - yes, it is!