Ottenbach ZH - baptism - 1619 - Sidler - Verena

Kent Gardiner

First document:

https://www.gatheringgardiners.com/2020/01/verena-sidler-1619.html

WSeelentag

(Sunday) 13 Jun(ij) [1619]

E(ltern): Hany Sÿdler, Cathrin Kleinerin

K(ind): Vrena

Z(eugen): Hans Meÿer Rudiß son, Vrena Steinerin Hans Meÿers frouw

Godmother had married Ottenbach 08.02.1618 Hans Meier - possibly both were the witnesses.

I haven't done any statistics, but there seems to be a habit to have witnesses who had married not too long ago. The witness took on the duty to look after the child (if something happened to the parents) - so it makes sense the witnesses wouldn't be much older and preferably with their own family.

Kent Gardiner

https://community.familysearch.org/en/profile/WSeelentag Thanks, I wonder how often something happened to the parents and the godparents had to step in. In any case the witnesses do give you an idea of who were their friends/relatives and who was important in their lives!