Baptism enquiry

[snowybeatle]

Hi everyone
MY 4X great grandfather died in 1824, aged 66, in Ovingham, Northumberland, according to church records. Tracing his birth has been difficult but the burial record would put his birth at around 1758. Not many (actually none) baptisms are found in the area for this date although there is one for 1761 at St. Mary and St. Cuthbert in Chester le Street for 1761, with his parents living in Birtley. Is it likely that he might have been baptised 3 years after his birth in those days?

[Jebber]

It’s quite possible, sometimes several siblings were baptised together. Also ages at death are the most unreliable ages, family members were often unsure of their relative’s age. Birthdays were not celebrated as they are today, so even the person concerned could be unsure of their own age.

[Pheno]

My 2xgt grandfather born in 1796 was not baptised until 18 years later in 1815.  The subsequent two children were each baptised within months of their birth.

Pheno

[snowybeatle]

Hi Jebber
Thanks for a fast response and some very useful information.
My ancestor does not appear on any baptism record for any contiguous parish to St. Mary the Virgin in Ovingham, around 1758. Northumberland Records Office have searched the Wills and Administrations at the District Probate Registry at Durham and searched the transcript of baptisms of St. Mary the Virgin, Ovingham from 1750-1765. There is no reference to him at either!
My brick wall might be closer to being broken at Chester le Street!

[Jebber]

The timings of baptisms can be a mystery at times, often those not baptised as infants would be baptised prior to Confirmation, or just before marriage. I have two sisters baptised several years after marriage, yet all their siblings were baptised as infants.

[Viktoria]

Baptists do not have infant baptisms as they believe it should be the person who is baptised who makes the choice in full knowledge of its significance .
Babies cannot do that..
It is also full immersion so in Baptist Chapels there is usually a sunken tank with steps into and out of the water on opposing sides ,you walk in a sinner and walk out forgiven
As the  Baptisms  in the Bible,
The tanks are covered over ,in front of the altar.
I attended such a Chapel as a small child ,with my grandmother’s family .
 Viktoria.