Re. England Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991
This database is on Ancestry, Find my Past and freely available on Family Search.
This is quite disturbing.
Lancashire
Leigh, St. Mary the Virgin
Baptism Richard Hampson, mother Faith
St. Mary, Leigh
1793 May 12
(confirmed by image)
Burial Richard Hampson, mother Faith
Leigh
1793 May 12
The second record comes ONLY from the database: England Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991
At first glance, you would think that this sad event was the death of a newborn. On further reflection, it is bizarre to imagine that a baby would be baptised, and then a few minutes later they would hurry outside to bury the poor dearly departed mite. Visions of being drowned in the font come tumbling to mind.
But then, imagine this, yet another poor Richard Hampson:
Baptism Richard Hampson, parents William & Sarah
St. Mary, Leigh
1793 Jan 13
(confirmed by image)
Burial Richard Hampson, parents William & Sarah
Leigh
1793 Jan 13
Gosh!!! Two babies drowned in the same font
Of course, I am being facetious. I have searched the relevant church burial images and there are no such burials. The conclusion is that someone a very long time ago must have mis-transcribed Baptisms as Burials.
There may be many people with no access to the actual images who have dismissed their potential ancestor as having been a sickly babe who died at/around birth, when they have actually been a bonny babe who thrived into adulthood.
This “hobby” is confusing enough, without Baptisms being mistranscribed as Burials. That’s just too much to cope with!
I have no idea how widespread this is within this database.
Just this year? Just this church? Heaven knows! (Literally perhaps?)
UKgirl