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Archiver > ESSEX-UK > 2002-05 > 1020794190


From: "John Henley" <>
Subject: Re: Help needed
Date: Tue, 7 May 2002 18:58:39 +0100
References: <3CD7E8CD.30765.AF8335@localhost>


Hi norman,
----- Original Message ----- From: <>
> Let me start by saying that I have absolutely no knowledge of Latin,
> whatsoever. I use a Latin/English dictionary to help me with records
> that are written in Latin.
> > I am currently attempting to make sense of some early Parish Registers
> (without too much success). Perhaps an example of what is confusing
> me, will help.
> > The first entry for the year 1542 is as follows:
> > xj die Novembris nata fuit Agnes Broke et eodem die baptizata est in
> d'c'a' eccl'ia'.
> > Using my primitive method of translation, I originally decided that this
> probably said something like:
> > 11th November was born Agnes Broke and, the same day, was
> baptized in (?????) church.
> > I thought it was a bit strange that baptism took place on the day of the
> birth, but decided that there could be a good reason for this. Then, I
> noticed that a similar wording appeared against all the following
> baptisms (for several years).
> > Now, I realize that I have got it wrong. I have obviously made a
mistake
> in translating eodem, and have no idea how d'c'a' fits into all of this.
> > Can anyone please put me back on the right track.> > Many thanks> Norman
Adams

Not sure why you think you made a mistake. Baptism the same day as birth
would be the norm in an age when continued life for the newly-born was so
uncertain.
I note that the formula is repeated for subsequent entries, and that no
parentage is given.
I suppose that the entries could just relate back to a large mass baptism on
one occasion, in which case 'the same day' might refer back to a date given
at the head of a list of entries which gave the birthdates.

As for d'c'a', i have no experience of these early registers [still stuck
around 1800 :-) ] and it may well be a set phrase.
'in dictam ecclesiam' would give 'in the said church' which might refer
back to the last time the name of the church was mentioned - perhaps the
title-page : are you sure it is not s't'a, which would give 'in sanctam
ecclesiam ' - in holy Church; or f'c'e' - in faciem ecclesiæ - 'in the face
of [i.e.before, in front of] the Church'
But I am no expert, and am sure someone ith experience will be able tot ell
you. Have you tried Eve McLaughlin's booklet on Latin for Family Historians?
Cheers

John Henley
(still catching up on masses of emails )
using Archive CDs - see
http://www.archivecdbooks.org
and researching (and not finding much time for - but always very glad to
hear of any)
HENLEY, PARKER, PRENTICE, SECKER, RAPER, DURDEN
[IN London/Middx./Essex/Suffolk]
ROLFE, (O)RAFFERTY, EVANS, PARSONS, SYMONDS [IN Berks/Hants/Wilts]
HILL [IN Staffs/Cambs/Berks]


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