ENG-DORSET-LIFE-L Archives

Archiver > ENG-DORSET-LIFE > 2006-05 > 1147450114


From: "Davy Cannon" <>
Subject: Re: [DOR-LIFE] Same name ? twins in Register
Date: Fri, 12 May 2006 17:08:34 +0100
References: <001c01c67574$9e5a1e00$0801a8c0@Louise>


Hi Louise,

The only reason I can think of that twins would be baptised with the same
name is if one of them died at, or very soon after, birth. I know very sick
babies often had an "emergency" christening, but I'm not sure what the
procedure was with fatalities at birth. Living twins would definitely not
have been given the same name.

Much more likely, from the layout of the information you give, is that they
are cousins, both named according to prevalent naming patterns, i.e. after
their paternal grandfather. Is there anything to indicate that the first
John's father was anyone other than Thomas? It could be that they were
simply sharing the occasion, or it could be that Thomas's brother "adopted"
his nephew for some reason.

Whatever the answer, there's a story in there somewhere, I suspect.

Regards,

Davy Cannon,
Dorchester, Dorset


> Baptism 1565
> John Genge and John Genge son of Thos. Genge
>
> Would they be twins with the same name? did twins get the same name way
back then?
>

This thread: