Birth/Baptismal Records
Birth/Baptismal Records
This section provides examples of 18th and 19th century baptismal records from church registers. Beginning in 1828, the churches were required to record the birth date, as well as the baptismal date. Prior to that it is very unusual for a Hungarian baptismal record to give a birth date. But, typically in the 18th century a Hungarian child was presented for baptism the day of its birth, or as soon thereafter as practical.
The amount of information provided typically increases in more recent records. Early records may only give the father's name, or the father's name and the mother's given name. Later records almost universally give the name of both parents -- including the mother's maiden name. Unlike Spanish records, in Hungary the names of the grandparents are virtually never given in baptismal records -- although in one 1741 baptismal record associated with my family, the grandfather, who was a prominent Lutheran pastor, is identified. So, it is possible additional information can be gleaned from a baptismal record.
In addition to typical examples of various periods, some unusual circumstances are illustrated. These include Roman Catholic baptisms of Protestant children, the baptism of Jews, and the baptism of children of mixed marriages. The first example is especially important for those who haven't used Latin-language records, and the last provides a primer in Magyar-language baptismal terminology.
This register is typical of early narrative records, and includes extensive notes on Latin terms.
A typical Protestant register of the period, mostly in Magyar with a few Latin words.
A Latin-language register in a town still rebuilding after Turkish rule.
An extremely unusual separate register for the children of mixed marriages.
A register showing the multitude of godparents sometimes found in Protestant baptisms.
This example shows not only an annotation about an official name change, but also the conversion of a Jewish family.
A typical high-quality late register, with significant notes on Magyar baptismal terminology.
