Multiple baptisms in nineteenth-century Germany?
Hello, I'm wondering if anyone here knows whether individuals in nineteenth-century Germany were ever baptized twice? I'm researching an ancestor for whom I have found two separate baptismal records, and based on other evidence I have about the individual, both records appear to be referring to the same person. One record is in the Lutheran church, the other in the Catholic church. This individual was born out of wedlock, and I believe may have been raised by relatives of the mother. I believe these relatives may have rebaptized her as Catholic (she had first been baptized Lutheran). Does anyone know if baptism in both churches was ever allowed? Could the adopting parents' names be put on the record? I want to make sure that both records really do indeed refer to the same individual. Thanks for any expertise you may have on this!
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In the Catholic Church, rebaptism is strictly prohibited, but when there is doubt about whether a 1st baptism is valid the ceremony can be performed again "conditionally" (i.e., it is valid only if the 1st wasn't). This is usually indicated by the words "sub conditone" beside the record.
Nowadays the Catholic Church recognizes most Lutheran baptisms as valid and converts from Lutheranism to Catholicism will not be rebaptized. However I believe that in the past the Catholic Church did not recognize Lutheran baptisms and thus converts would have been baptized.
I suggest looking carefully at both baptism records for any comments written that might suggest a conditional baptism or conversion. Have a look at whether the Catholic parish kept a separate register of conversions. It would be odd for there to be no note or indication anywhere in the Catholic records that a newly baptized member was previously from another denomination.
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Thank you so much for this advice! I've been able to see one of the records in detail, but for the other I only have a digitized transcription, which is probably missing information. I'll see if there's a way I can see the original (maybe on microfilm). I appreciate your help!
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Maybe you already know this, but many Protestant records can be found at Archion ($) and some Catholic records are at Matricula. Some of both denominations can be found in the FS Catalog, but you may need to be at a FHC/Affiliate Library or a LDS member to view the records.
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