Baptised St Marys Old Swinford and 3 weeks later at Non-conformist church?

[jane k]

In my family I have twins Elizabeth and Ann/Nancy Howell who were baptised at St Marys Old Swinford on 6/11/1828.  But on 26/11/1828 they appear on the non-conformist registers, also in Old Swinford.

Was it common for babies to be baptised twice?

[Tickettyboo]

Do you have the images of the original entries for these two events? Back then the Anglican Parish Baptism registers were the only recognised 'proof of date and place of birth' which was important prior to civil registration as proving where you were born would be required if e.g. you needed to claim parish relief at a later date.

Not the same area but while transcribing Northumberland baptism registers I came across a good few entries  recording that children of non conformists had been baptised in their chosen religion, and that had been recorded in the Anglican register at the request of their parents to show where they were born.

Maybe its that sort of scenario?

Boo

[jane k]

Thanks, that`s interesting.  Yes ANCESTRY has images for both of the entries. The only difference is that Ann is Nancy on the non-conformist one but both records are definitely for the same twins. They had several siblings who are the parish records but I haven`t checked to see if they were also `baptised` twice - I will do.
I did wonder if as they were twins they were poorly babies and the parents decided on a belt and braces approach!

[jane k]

I`ve now checked all the other births - before and after the twins were born - and only the twins appear in the Non-conformist register as well as the parish records so it remains a mystery!