Baptism Record

[Felix]

Hi

Looking at a baptism record from February 1886. The baby was a few months old when baptised and it records the parents' names and address and the name of the officiating minister. Underneath a memoranda has been added:
[1] P[rivate] [2] Received into Church Oct 19 1887 I wonder if anyone could tell me what that means? The little boy died aged 4, so would it have been something to do with him being a sickly baby? He was also their 5th child to die young in as many years.

Many thanks

[Guy]

Yes, you have answered your own question.

The correct use of a Private Baptism was for babies who it was thought would not live long enough to be brought to church to be baptised.
Anyone could baptise the infant, it did not have to be a clergyman.

If the infant gained strength he/she would then be brought to church to be received into the church.

A snob value became attached to private baptisms and this led to others such as landed gentry insisting on private baptism for their children, though the church always frowned on such practice.
Cheers
Guy

[Felix]

Thank you so much Guy and cheers from Oz. :o