Catholic Hispanic Baptisms
I am doing research on my Hispanic ancestors in Catholic Parish records in Texas, 1800s. Was it common practice for the Sponsors or Godparents recorded in the baptisms to be married? Am I to assume they are a married couple?
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Hello @bittersusanlouise1
The record keeping follows closely the pattern used in Mexican records as well, which were influenced by the Council of Trent wherein the Catholic church determined the format of recording important ordinances. Godparents were at the time instructed/admonished by the priest as to their duties as godparents.
In many cases you'll find the godparents were married couples, (and often were also extended members of the family for which the baptism applied). However, it is possible godparents weren't married to each other at all, and in some cases you might find a single person listed as a godparent.
Hope that helps, and good hunting!
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Thank you for your response.
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Sometimes, the record will explicitly indicate that the godparents are a couple. In a Latin baptism record, we sometimes see "et uxor" indicating that the female godparent/sponsor is the wife of the male godparent/sponsor.
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