Translation clarification
Baptism record for the son of Seibert Grein. Below is a transcription and translation. Two questions. Record is left page last entry for 1654.
1. Does it make sense that the child's name was Henrich, after the Godfather? (the age on the death record for Henrich Grein calculates to this year).
2. Translation for the words "darbeÿ" [darbei] and "geopffert" [geopfert] in the context of the record. Also the meaning of "4 att." The translations found on woerterbuchnetz.de were: darbei = besides and geopfert = sacrificed.
Transcription:
"den 31 t. 10bris lies Tauffen Seibert Grein von
Holtzburg Compater fuit Johannis Greins von Fischbach
Filig Henrich Grein darbeÿ geopffert 4 att."
My translation:
On the 31st of December Siebert Grein of Holtzburg had his son baptized. Godfather was Johann Grein of Fischbach's legitimate son, Henrich Grein [darbeÿ geopffert 4 att].
The record is from: Archion.de > Kurhessen-Waldeck: Landeskirchliches Archiv Kassel > Ziegenhain > Holzburg > Kirchenbuch 1604-1687 image 51. Seibert Grein, birth & baptism record of child, [Henrich?], baptized 31 December 1654.
Any help is appreciated.
Kimball
Answers
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Hello Kimball,
I find it strange that a baptism record does not state the name of the child - I have never seen this before. Could it be that in all these cases the first name of the child is that of the baptismal sponsor? I see that for all baptisms there is only one sponsor, sometimes male (compater), sometimes female (commater). Naming a child after a baptismal sponsor was a common custom, although not universally.
You have quite correctly interpreted the words darbeÿ geopffert as a sacrifice or offering. It refers probably to the monetary offering given to the church/parish by the parents in connection with (darbeÿ) the baptism. "att." can be a currency abbreviation/sign which I don't know.
NB: The last letter of "Filius" looks like a "g" but is in fact a shortcut for the common Latin ending "-us".
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Thanks again Ulrich!
Yes, it is strange, I have seen it before in one other parish in this area. Thank you for the clarification on the darbey geopffert - the monetary donation makes this all make more sense, I hadn't thought of that.
Again, thank you for your help!
Kimball
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