Sponsors

[Alice Bradford]

I have birth records for 2 of my Hamilton ancestors from Vital Records of Dundee and on both of them at the bottom it names "Spons." One of the sponsors is the same on both. What did a sponsor do and were they relatives, friends or just someone in the church that day?
Thanks,
Alice

[LesleyB]

Hi Alice
The sponsors in any OPR births I've seen for my lot are often relatives. However, when they are not relatives they often seem have been in the same trade as the father, so I assume they were work colleagues. Numbers of sponsors varies - most of the ones I have seen for my family have two. Women were rarely witnesses and in some areas it seems to have been the practice for a sponsor to carry the same name as the child - perhaps if he was a family member the child may have been named after him?

As far as I'm aware, a sponsor there to witness the baptism. I suspect, but I'm not 100% sure, there may have been some indication of further reponsibilites toward the child similar to modern day "god-parents", should anything happpen to the parents. However, calling them "god parents" was considered "popish" as far as I remember and was discouraged by the church, although the practice of having adults as witnesses to the baptism continued.

In quite a number of other cases I have seen the congregation as the witness to the christening and there are no specific sponsors mentioned.

I'll need to go off and do some further reading!

Best wishes
Lesley

[LesleyB]

Hi Alice
A further thought - sometimes by trawling the OPR, 1841 census or the local MIs or books covering the general history of the town, city or area, I have found people who appear to fit the profile of the sponsors e.g. they may have the same trade as the sponsor was said to have and are about the same age as the parents. In one case in Leith the sponsors look likely to be men who were moving in the same social cirlces as the family was either already in, or was aspiring to. e.g.

• 1746
  James Nimmo weaver in the Factory and Barbara Berry his spouse had A.S.N James born 4th and Baptised 10th April 1746 with William Nimmo corkcutter and John Watson weaver y'
  
  1767
  James Nimmo Merchant in Leith and Barbara Berry his spouse A.D.N Jean born 25th baptised 26th February 1767 witnesses Thomas Hadaway Brewer and John Hadaway Merchant there.

A "John Hadaway merchant there" is mentioned as a member of South Leith Kirk Session in 1762 - might be the same man. I would also guess the two Hadaways mentioned are probably brothers.

In the following example I'd guess that both witnesses were family - not only are they in the same trade, but I know the names are names typical in that family:

• 1801 David Dick Mason in Charlestown & Mary Hall his wife had a daughter born 7th June baptised 7th June named Christian. Witnesses George Dick & James Dick Masons in Charlestown.

Hope this is of some help.
Best wishes
Lesley

[AnneM]

Hi

For a baptism in Scotland a sponsor is much the same as a godparent in England but unless things have changed radicallysince the last Century does not take any vows. Strictly speaking children baptised into the C of S don't have godparents.

Anne

[Alice Bradford]

Thanks for the information and suggestions. I will follow up on them. I was wondering why I couldn't find relationships in the 1841 census on Ancestry, but now I'm thinking the 1841 didn't include relationships.
Sure appreciate all of the great help I get from TS.
Alice

[LesleyB]

Hi Alice

but now I'm thinking the 1841 didn't include relationships

Yes, you are correct with that one - no relationships are given in the 1841.

Best wishes
Lesley

[Alice Bradford]

Thanks Lesley for answering my question about the 1841 census and relationships. Tomorrow when I go to the FHC I won't have to try to figure out how to find the relationships. I'll just go to the 1851 census and see if any of the people are there that I want to figure out how they belong to my ancestor. I am so grateful for the help.
Alice