07.17.08
Posted in Daily Journal, Poland, Baptismal Records, Niedzialkowski at 12:01 am by Administrator
Throughout history, church and civil records in Poland have assumed a variety of forms. The manner in which the records were maintained depended on the location and the time period.
After Napoleon’s armies invaded Poland and created the Duchy of Warsaw on 09 Jun 1807, priests in the Duchy were required to record births, marriages, and deaths according to a specified style in a narrative form. After Napoleon’s defeat and the formation of the Congress Kingdom of Poland, priests continued to record birth, marriages, and deaths in the same format.
In 1826, the format was changed somewhat, and life events were recorded in a very consistent manner following a fixed template. Once researchers learn to read one Polish birth record from this time period in the Congress Kingdom of Poland, all other birth records from the same region and time period will look similar. Unfortunately, in 1868, the Russian government required that all records be written in Russian. The format remained the same. Only the language changed.
The following record demonstrates the parts of a Polish birth record that is typical for the time period 1826-1868 in the Congress Kingdom of Poland.
The Birth and Baptismal Record of Józef Niedziałkowski - 1862
SOURCE: Parafia pw. św. Jana Chrzciciela (Szwelice, Maków Powiat, Łomża Gubernia, Congress Kingdom of Poland). Księga Ochrzczonych parafii Szwelice od 1853 do 1869 r, Józef Niedziałkowski baptism (1862); FHL microfilm 1958805.
Click on the above image to enlarge it. By looking for specific keywords in the record, researchers can locate specific items of interest:
- Działo się - introduces the place, date, and time of the baptism
- Stawił się - introduces the name of the presenter, usually the father
- Obecnosi - introduces the names of the witnesses
- Okazał Nam - introduces the sex of the child and details of the birth
- Jego Małzonki - introduces the name of the mother
- Dziecięciu temu - introduces the name of the child
- Rodzicami Chresnemi - introduces the names of the Godparents
- Akt ten - concludes the record, usually indicating that the participants were illiterate
A transcription of this record (including misspellings and other errors) is shown below. Keywords that direct the reader to the most important elements of the record are highlighted in bold.
Pomaski
80.
Działo się we Wsi Koscielney Szwelicach dnia dwudziestego piątego Pazdziernika Tysiąc Osmset Sześćdziesiątego drugiego roku o godzinie dziewiątey z rana Stawił się Ludwik Niedziałkowski wspolnik lat dwadziescia osm maiący w Pomaskach Zamieszkały w Obecnosi Jana Pomaskiego lat czterdziesci cztery, i Konstantego grzybowskiego lat trzydziesci, maiących dziedzicow częsciowych w Pomaskach Zamieszkałych i Okazał Nam Dziecę płci męskiej oswiadczaiąc iz iest urodzone w Pomaskach dnia wczorayszego o godzinie dziewiątey rano z Jego Małzonki Jozefy z Pomaskich lat dwadziescia trzy maiącey. Dziecięciu temu na Chrzcie Swiętym odbytym w dniu dzisieyszym przez Kiędza Ignacego Kotakowskiego Proboszcza mieyscowego nadane zostało Imie Jozef, a Rodzicami Chresnemi byli Jozef i Barbara małzeństwo Nossarzewscy - Akt ten Oswiadczaią iemu i Swiadkom przezytany i przez Nas tylko podpisany został gdys Oswiadczaiący ani Sziadkowie pisac nieumieią
X Ig Kotakowski Proboszcz Szwelicki.
Utrzymuiący Akta Stanu Cywilnego
The left margin is usually reserved for the name of the village in which the family resided. For birth/baptismal records, one may also presume that the child was born in this village. The number that accompanies the name of the village shows the number of the baptism in the current calendar year in the parish (not the village). In the example, the child was born in Pomaski and his baptism was the 80th baptism in the parish that year.
The records open with the words “Działo się we Wsi Koscielney Szwelicach” which state the place of baptism. The words “Działo się” mean “It happened”. After the word “we” (in), this record shows that the baptism took place in “Wsi Koscielney Szwelicach”, meaning “the ecclesiastical village of Szwelice”. The village of Szwelice was owned by the church and was thus called an “ecclesiastical village”. The village of Pomaski belonged to the parish of Szwelice. Next, the time and date of the baptism is provided. In this record, the date is given as ”dnia dwudziestego piątego Pazdziernika Tysiąc Osmset Sześćdziesiątego drugiego roku”, meaning ”the twenty-fifth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred sixty-two”. The time was recorded as “o godzinie dziewiątey z rana”, translated as “at the hour of nine o’clock in the morning”.
The next section, introduced by the words “Stawił się“, meaning “he presented himself” tells who brought the child to be baptized. This was usually the father, but could also be another relative if the father was deceased or otherwise could not attend the birth. In the case of an illegitimate birth, the midwife who delivered the child may be the one who presented the child for baptism. In the example, we learn that “Stawił się Ludwik Niedziałkowski wspolnik lat dwadziescia osm maiący w Pomaskach Zamieszkały”. This phrase tells us the name of the presenter (here, it is the father), his occupation, his age, and the place in which he resided. This phrase is translated as “Ludwik Niedziałkowski, partner, presented himself, twenty-eight years of age, living in Pomaski”.
Next, the words “w Obecnosi” introduce the witnesses. The example shows that “Jana Pomaskiego lat czterdziesci cztery, i Konstantego grzybowskiego lat trzydziesci, maiących dziedzicow częsciowych w Pomaskach Zamieszkałych”, providing the names, ages, and occupations of the two witnesses. This phrase is translated as “in the presence of Jan Pomaski, forty-four years of age, and Konstanty Grzybowski, thirty years of age, heirs to a part [of the village] living in Pomaski”.
The next section is introduced by the words “i Okazał Nam“, meaning “and he showed us”. This phrase is followed by a description of the child, including the date and time of his birth. The phrase “i Okazał Nam Dziecę płci męskiej” means “and he showed us a child of the male sex”, is followed by the place of birth ”oswiadczaiąc iz iest urodzone w Pomaskach” meaning “declaring that he was born in Pomaski”, and concludes with the date and time of birth “dnia wczorayszego o godzinie dziewiątey rano”, translated as “yesterday at the hour of nine o’clock in the morning”.
The next section describes the mother, usually by her maiden name and age: “z Jego Małzonki Jozefy z Pomaskich” meaning “[born] of his wife Józefa née Pomaska” and “lat dwadziescia trzy maiącey”, telling us that she was “having twenty-three years of age”.
The name of the priest who performed the baptism and the name of the child are provided next, although the priest’s name is not always provided in the text of every birth/baptismal record. The sentence in Polish includes the phrases ”Dziecięciu temu” meaning “This child”, “na Chrzcie Swiętym odbytym w dniu dzisieyszym” meaning “at Holy Baptism performed this day”, “przez Kiędza Ignacego Kotakowskiego Proboszcza mieyscowego”, meaning “by Ignace Kotakowski, the pastor of this place”, and finally “nadane zostało Imie Jozef”, meaning “was given the name Józef”.
The names of the sponsors (Godparents) are provided in the next section: “a Rodzicami Chresnemi byli Jozef i Barbara małzeństwo Nossarzewscy”, translated as “and the Godparents were the married couple Józef and Barbara Nossarzewski”.
The record ends with a statement “Akt ten Oswiadczaią iemu i Swiadkom przezytany” meaning “This document was read aloud to the declarants and witnesses”, followed by “i przez Nas tylko podpisany został”, meaning “and signed by Us alone”, and finally ”gdys Oswiadczaiący ani Sziadkowie pisac nieumieią” meaning “because the declarants and witnesses cannot write”.
The record is signed by the priest and concludes with his title: “X Ig Kotakowski Proboszcz Szwelicki” meaning “The Reverend Ig[nace] Kotakowski, Pastor of Szwelice” and “Utrzymuiący Akta Stanu Cywilnego”, translated as “Maintaining the Public Register”.
Because Polish is a highly inflected language, the endings of the names and places must usually be removed and replaced with the standard forms of the names and places. Thus, the place name “Pomaskach” becomes “Pomaski”, the place name “Szwelicach” becomes “Szwelice”, the name “Jana Pomaskiego” becomes “Jan Pomaski”, the name “Konstantego Grzybowskiego” becomes “Konstanty Grzybowski”, the name “Jozefy z Pomaskich” becomes “Józefa née Pomaska”, and the name “Ignacego Kotakowskiego” becomes “Ignace Kotakowski”.
In these records, the priest frequently hyphenates words and, in some records, doesn’t necessarily indicate that the words are hyphenated. In addition, words that should be capitalized don’t always appear to be capitalized, and capital letters sometimes appear where they should not. Spelling errors and variations are also common, and Polish diacritical marks don’t always appear where they should.
Written for the Carnival of Eastern European Genealogy.
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
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07.16.08
Posted in Daily Journal, Baptismal Records, Gamache, Fortin, Quebec at 12:01 am by Administrator
On 28 May 1677, Marguerite Fortin, daughter of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine and Geneviève Gamache, was born. On 05 Jun 1677, she was baptized in the chapel at Cap Tourmente, Canada, New France.
The Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Fortin - 1677
SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada : Institut Généalogique Drouin. Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Canada, New France, 1677. Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Fortin, page 35.
Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Marguerite Fortin. The record reads:
Baptism of Marguerite Fortin
In the year of O[ur] Lord, [one thousand six hundred]
seventy seven on the fifth of June, I baptized in the chapel
of Cap Tourmente, Marguerite Fortin, born on the twenty-
eighth of last May, daughter of Julian Fortin
and Geneviève Gamache, his wife. The Godfather
was M. Pierre Gagnon, father, and the Godmother
was Marguerite Martin, wife of Étienne Racin.
Signed F[rançois]Fillon, missionary priest.
[signed] Morin, priest
This record can be found as image 25/877 in the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com in the records for Ste. Anne du Beaupré 1668-1808. The record appears on page 35.
This image is apparently from a transcript of the original record book since it states that the record was signed by François Fillon, but was actually signed by Morin.
The first part of the year (one thousand six hundred) is apparently abbreviated in a manner I don’t understand (it appears to be something like “gbj C”).
The Godfather is M. Pierre Gagnon père. I am uncertain what the “M” stands for or why the word père appears after his name. Pierre Gagnon is not the father of Marguerite Fortin, nor is he one of her grandfathers.
UPDATE: Gilles Cayouette of The Nomadic Researcher wrote to tell me that he thinks there may have been two Pierre Gagnon’s in this locality: a father and son with the same name. To differentiate between the two, clerks may have simply referred to the father as “Pierre Gagnon père” and the son as “Pierre Gagnon fils”. Thanks again for your help, Gilles!
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
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07.14.08
Posted in Daily Journal, Canada, Baptismal Records, Gamache, Fortin at 12:01 am by Administrator
Between 10 Jun 1674 and 25 Jul 1674, Jean Fortin, son of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine and Geneviève Gamache, was baptized in Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Canada, New France.
The Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Fortin - 1674
SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada : Institut Généalogique Drouin. Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Canada, New France, 1674. Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Fortin, pages 22-23.
Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Jean Fortin. The record reads:
Baptism of Jean Fortin 1674
In the year of O[ur] Lord, [one thousand six hundred]
seventy four, I baptized in the Church of
Saint Anne, an infant born
of Julian Fortin and Geneviève Gamache, his wife.
His Godfather was Jean Gagnon and his Godmother was
Marguerite Gagnon, wife of Jean Caron. The infant was
named Louis. Signed F[rançois]Fillon, missionary priest.
[signed] Morin, priest
This record can be found as image 19/877 in the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com in the records for Ste. Anne du Beaupré 1668-1808. The record appears on pages 22-23.
This image is apparently from a transcript of the original record book since it states that the record was signed by François Fillon, but was actually signed by Morin.
The actual dates of birth and baptism are missing - there are blank spaces in the record. The best conclusion that can be drawn about the date of baptism is that it occurred between the baptisms recorded immediately before and after Jean Fortin’s baptism. Thus, the date of baptism is most likely between 10 Jun 1674 and 25 Jul 1674.
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
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07.12.08
Posted in Daily Journal, Canada, Baptismal Records, Gamache, Fortin at 12:01 am by Administrator
On 07 Mar 1671, Louis Fortin, son of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine and Geneviève Gamache, was born. On 19 Mar 1671, he was baptized in Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Canada, New France.
The Birth and Baptismal Record of Louis Fortin - 1671
SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada : Institut Généalogique Drouin. Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Canada, New France, 1671. Birth and Baptismal Record of Louis Fortin, page 8.
Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Louis Fortin. The record reads:
Louis Fortin
In the year of O[ur] Lord, [one thousand six hundred]
seventy one, on the nineteenth of March: I baptized in the
Church of Saint Anne, an infant born on the seventh of the
same month of Julian Fortin and Geneviève Gamache, his
wife, residing in the same parish. His Godfather was Joseph
Gagnon and his Godmother was Louise Picard, daughter of
Jean Picard. The infant was named Louis. Signed F[rançois]
Fillon, missionary priest. [signed] Morin, priest
This record can be found as image 12/877 in the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com in the records for Ste. Anne du Beaupré 1668-1808. The record appears on page 8.
This image is apparently from a transcript of the original record book since it states that the record was signed by François Fillon, but was actually signed by Morin.
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
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07.11.08
Posted in Daily Journal, Canada, Baptismal Records, Gamache, Fortin at 10:00 pm by Administrator
On 21 May 1669, Pierre Fortin, son of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine and Geneviève Gamache, was born. On 24 May 1669, he was baptized at home in Cap Tourmente, Canada, New France.
The Birth and Baptismal Record of Pierre Fortin - 1669
SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada : Institut Généalogique Drouin. Nôtre Dame de la Visitation, Château Richer, Canada, New France, 1669. Birth and Baptismal Record of Pierre Fortin, page 72.
Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Pierre Fortin. The record reads:
Pierre Fortin
In the year of O[ur] L[ord] 1669, on the 24th of the
month of May, I baptized in Cap Tourmente with the
ceremonies of the holy church in the home
of the father, an infant, born on the 21st of the same
month, [son] of Julien Fortin and Geneviève Gamache,
residing in the parish of Saint Anne. His
Godfather was Pierre Gagnon and his Godmother
was Barbe Fortin. He was named Pierre.
F. Fillon, Miss[ionary] Priest
This record can be found as image 50/727 in the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com in the records for Château Richer 1661-1702. The record appears on page 72.
Although this baptism was included in the records of Château Richer, the baptism was actually performed in the home of Julien Fortin and Geneviève Gamache in Cap Tourmente. Julien Fortin and Geneviève Gamache were members of the Parish of Saint Anne.
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
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07.09.08
Posted in Daily Journal, Canada, Baptismal Records, Fortin at 12:01 am by Administrator
On 17 Apr 1667, Julien Fortin, son of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine and Geneviève Gamache, was born. On 22 Apr 1667, he was baptized provisionally in the Church of Nôtre Dame de la Visitation in Château Richer, Canada, New France.
The Birth and Baptismal Record of Julien Fortin - 1667
SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada : Institut Généalogique Drouin. Nôtre Dame de la Visitation, Château Richer, Canada, New France, 1667. Birth and Baptismal Record of Julien Fortin, page 56.
Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Julien Fortin. The record reads:
Julien Fortin
Julien Fortin, son of Julien Fortin and
Geneviève Gamache, his father and mother, born
on the 17th of April 1667 and received the holy
ceremonies of baptism on the 22nd (after) having been
provisionally baptized. The Godfather was Nicolas Gamache,
uncle, and the Godmother was Vin[cente] Burel
Th[omas] Morel, Missionary Priest
This record can be found as image 42/727 in the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com in the records for Château Richer 1661-1702. The record appears on page 56.
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
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07.08.08
Posted in Daily Journal, Canada, Baptismal Records, Fortin at 9:30 pm by Administrator
On 01 Mar 1666, Marie Anne Fortin, daughter of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine and Geneviève Gamache, was born. She was baptized the same day in the Church of Nôtre Dame de la Visitation in Château Richer, Canada, New France.
The Birth and Baptismal Record of Marie Anne Fortin - 1666
SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada : Institut Généalogique Drouin. Nôtre Dame de la Visitation, Château Richer, Canada, New France, 1666. Birth and Baptismal Record of Marie Anne Fortin, page 48.
Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Marie Anne Fortin. The record reads:
M. Anne Fortin
In the year of grace one thousand six hundred sixty
six, on the first day of March, by me,
Louis Ango, priest, was baptized Marie
Anne Fortin, born on the same day, daughter
of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine and
Geneviève Gamache, his wife. The Godfather
was Denis Roberge and Marie Crevet, the
widow Caron.
Louis Ango, priest.
This record can be found as image 38/727 in the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com in the records for Château Richer 1661-1702. The record appears on page 48.
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
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06.26.08
Posted in Daily Journal, Canada, Baptismal Records, Gamache, Fortin at 12:01 am by Administrator
On 15 May 1664, Joseph Fortin, son of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine and Geneviève Gamache, was born. On 20 May 1664, he was baptized in the Church of Nôtre Dame de la Visitation in Château Richer, Canada, New France.
The Birth and Baptismal Record of Joseph Fortin - 1664
SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada : Institut Généalogique Drouin. Nôtre Dame de la Visitation, Château Richer, Canada, New France, 1664. Birth and Baptismal Record of Joseph Fortin, page 26.
Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Joseph Fortin. The record reads:
Joseph Fortin
Joseph, son of Julien Fortin and Geneviève
Gamache was born on the fifteenth day of the month
of May and was baptized on the twentieth of
the present month, the Godfather was Pierre Marcou
and the Godmother was Louise Gagnier.
Th[omas] Morel, missionary priest
This record can be found as image 27/727 in the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com in the records for Château Richer 1661-1702. The record appears on page 26.
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
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06.25.08
Posted in Daily Journal, Canada, Baptismal Records, Gamache, Fortin at 12:01 am by Administrator
On 08 Apr 1662, Geneviève Fortin, daughter of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine and Geneviève Gamache, was born. On Easter Sunday, 09 Apr 1662, she was baptized in the Church of Nôtre Dame de la Visitation in Château Richer, Canada, New France.
The Birth and Baptismal Record of Geneviève Fortin - 1662
SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada : Institut Généalogique Drouin. Nôtre Dame de la Visitation, Château Richer, Canada, New France, 1662. Birth and Baptismal Record of Geneviève Fortin, page 6.
Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Geneviève Fortin. The record reads:
Geneviève Fortin
Geneviève, daughter of Julien Fortin-Bellefontaine
and Geneviève Gamache was born on the eighth
of the month of April and was baptized on
Easter, the ninth of the present month, the Godfather
was François Fortin, surgeon, on behalf of Nicolas
Gamache and the Godmother was Geneviève Auber, daughter
of Claude Auber.
Th[omas] Morel, pastor
This record can be found as image 17/727 in the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com in the records for Château Richer 1661-1702. The record appears on page 6.
I am uncertain if the Godfather’s name is François Fortin and his occupation is surgeon, or if his name is a dit name: François Fortin-Chirurgien.
UPDATE 25 Jun 2008: Gilles of The Nomadic Researcher wrote to let me know that François Fortin, surgeon is the correct translation. Chirurgien is not a dit-name. Gilles referred me to the website of the PDRH which discusses dit-names and provides a searchable database of all dit-names known to be associated with surnames before 1800. Thanks again for your help, Gilles!
At the time this record was written, France and her colonies were using the Gregorian Calendar, while England and her colonies were still using the Julian Calendar. England did not switch to the new calendar until 02 Sep 1752.
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
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06.21.08
Posted in Daily Journal, Canada, Baptismal Records, Olds, Symms at 12:01 am by Administrator
On 11 Aug 1876, Lillian Bertha Symms, daughter of William Symms and Loretta Fidelia Olds, was born. On 06 May 1880, she was baptized in the Church of England at Philipsburg at the Parish of St. Armand West, Philipsburg, Missisquoi County, Province of Québec, Dominion of Canada.
The Birth and Baptismal Record of Lillian Bertha Symms - 1880
SOURCE: Gabriel Drouin, comp. Drouin Collection. Montréal, Québec, Canada: Institut Généalogique Drouin. Church of England at Philipsburg at the Parish of St. Armand West, Philipsburg, Missisquoi County, Province of Québec, Dominion of Canada, 1880. Birth and Baptismal Record of Lillian Bertha Symms, recto folio 11.
Click on the image above to enlarge it. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record of Lillian Bertha Symms. The record reads:
folio eleven
On this sixth day of May A.D.
eighteen hundred and eighty
Lillian Bertha daughter of
William Symms of the Parish
of St Armand West and of his
wife Loretta Fidelia Olds born
the eleventh of August eighteen
hundred and seventy six A D.
was baptized in the presence
of subscribing witnesses by me
[signed] Wm Westover
Officiating Minister
[signed] [V.E.Gestimer?]
[signed] M. A. Whitwell
This record can be found as image 11/25 in the Quebec Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1967 on Ancestry.com in the records for Philipsburg (Anglican Church) 1880. The record appears on recto folio 11 (the front of folio 11.
Lillian Bertha Symms was baptized on the same day as her mother, brother, and two sisters.
Copyright © 2008 by Stephen J. Danko
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