OH-CLEVELAND-IRISH-L Archives

Archiver > OH-CLEVELAND-IRISH > 2002-08 > 1028977970


From: "Laurel Baker" <>
Subject: RE: Witnesses at church events
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2002 07:17:40 -0400
In-Reply-To: <b7.24cafcf4.2a85db7e@aol.com>


In Ireland it was very common for relatives to be witnesses and
sponsors. It became less common in North America simply because of the
circumstances of the diaspora -- many people ended up in places without
close relatives nearby, especially during the 1840's through 1860's. One
of my great uncle's sponsors were a non-English speaking German couple
who simply happened to be handy the day he was baptised. In return, my
Irish speaking gg grandparents sponsored their child.

L.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [mailto:]
> Sent: Friday, August 09, 2002 10:59 PM
> To:
> Subject: Witnesses at church events
>
>
> Not being Catholic, but coming from an Irish line, I have a
> question about
> the Sponsors and the witnesses at christinings, weddings,
> etc. that take
> place in the church.
>
> Was it the custom in the 1800's (in Cleveland at least) that
> these persons be
> members of the family?
>
> I have a list of sponsors at the christenings of relatives of
> mine and am
> sure that two groups are related to the family. The others I
> am wondering
> about.
>
> Thanks
>
> Bill Dalton
> Gig Harbor, WA
>
>

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