Sponsor on Catholic Baptismal Record

[Don McGovern]

I received a letter today from the parish priest in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim with baptismal records for two of my ancestors. One born in 1841 and another born in 1844. My question concerns two people listed as sponsors on the baptismal records. The two names listed as sponsors I believe are two older cousins of the person being baptized. But they would have been only about 14 to 15 years old. First, can anyone tell me what a sponsor on a baptismal record is? Also, do you know of any customs from that time period for who might be a sponsor? What a 14 year old cousin be customary?<br> <br> <br>Don McGovern
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mcgovds@msn.com

[Sean]

: I received a letter today from the parish priest in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim with baptismal records for two of my ancestors. One born in 1841 and another born in 1844. My question concerns two people listed as sponsors on the baptismal records. The two names listed as sponsors I believe are two older cousins of the person being baptized. But they would have been only about 14 to 15 years old. First, can anyone tell me what a sponsor on a baptismal record is? Also, do you know of any customs from that time period for who might be a sponsor? What a 14 year old cousin be customary?<br>: <br>: <br>: Don McGovern<p>Don, Sponsors, also called Godparents, are and were often relatives. In theory and sometimes practice, they had responsibility for raising the child if something, like early death, prevented the parents from<br>doing so. I was a sponsor and Godparent before age 14. Usually, gift-giving at birthdays is the limit of responsibility; and a bigger gift at weddings.

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[Mary Evans]

: : I received a letter today from the parish priest in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim with baptismal records for two of my ancestors. One born in 1841 and another born in 1844. My question concerns two people listed as sponsors on the baptismal records. The two names listed as sponsors I believe are two older cousins of the person being baptized. But they would have been only about 14 to 15 years old. First, can anyone tell me what a sponsor on a baptismal record is? Also, do you know of any customs from that time period for who might be a sponsor? What a 14 year old cousin be customary?<br>: : <br>: : <br>: : Don McGovern<p>: Don, Sponsors, also called Godparents, are and were often relatives. In theory and sometimes practice, they had responsibility for raising the child if something, like early death, prevented the parents from<br>: doing so. I was a sponsor and Godparent before age 14. Usually, gift-giving at birthdays is the limit of responsibility; and a bigger gift at weddings. <p><br>Don - <p>As long as the perspective sponsor has himself/herself been confirmed in the church, he may serve as a godparent. Confirmation usually takes places around 12 years of age. My grandfather was 14 when he was the godfather of his new niece (Kilronan Parish 1861). <br>

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mtevans@netlabs.net