A Christening Question

[Somerset Sal]

I've found the baptism of twins in 1865; their mother was unmarried and the officiating priest has written "Private Form Used" as a note to the baptism record.

Does anyone have any idea what this means? Was there a private baptism ceremony to save the mother embarrassment? Or was there some sort of special paperwork involved?

Thanks,

[Janet in Yorkshire]

Private baptisms (done anywhere and by anyone baptised themselves) often equated with emergency baptisms, when the child was in danger of dying.
Twins were often small and of a low birth weight, and so at risk.
Sadly, a look at the burial register often shows a very short life indeed for some twins.

Jay

[Somerset Sal]

Private baptisms (done anywhere and by anyone baptised themselves) often equated with emergency baptisms, when the child was in danger of dying.
Twins were often small and of a low birth weight, and so at risk.
Sadly, a look at the burial register often shows a very short life indeed for some twins.

Jay

That's interesting, thank you. I'm happy to report that the twins lived long enough to get married...

[Uncle John]

That's interesting, thank you. I'm happy to report that the twins lived long enough to get married...

but not to each other, one hopes.