witnesses to baptisms

[melody]

Hello there,
After searching around on the forum it appears that there were witnesses to baptisms. I just want to be sure that I understand this correctly as it is the first time I have ever come across this. I will give one of the examples from Births and Baptisms May 1825, Barony, Lanarkshire.

John Small mason low Cadden and Christian Gray had their 2nd child born 8th May bap 5 June name Alexander Alex Grey and Peter McDonald wit.

each entry had the name of two men followed by 'wit.' I assume this is witnesses? But of course it is dangerous to assume, so does anyone know, would they have been witnesses to the christening? Was this a wide spread practice to have witnesses I wonder because I've not seen it before in Scottish Parish Records.
Also I've heard of Cowcaddens, any idea where Low Cadden was?

Thanks for any help,
Melody

[LesleyB]

Hi Melody

each entry had the name of two men followed by 'wit.' I assume this is witnesses? But of course it is dangerous to assume, so does anyone know, would they have been witnesses to the christening? Was this a wide spread practice to have witnesses I wonder because I've not seen it before in Scottish Parish Records.

Wit. is an abbreviation of witness(es). The people named were witnesses to the christiening. If occurs fairly frequently in parish records, with either named persons or sometimes "the congregation" as the witness.

Best wishes
Lesley

[Grendlsmother]

I have an OPR 1740 baptism were the phrase "held up by" is used, presumably indicating a godfather or witness.

[Lorna Allison]

Hi Melody

Could your "Low Cadden" really be a mistranscription of "Low Cadder"? There is certainly a Cadder which is part of Bishopbriggs, just to the north of Glasgow

Regards

Lorna.

[joette]

"Held up by" was still in usage when I was a girl.It referred to Godparents so presume that was its meaning then too.
Witnesses to Christenings are found in a few of the OPR that I've researched & even better when they give a dwelling place for the witnesses.The OPR of Bortrophinie are the ones where this is well documented & helped to clarify & prove relationships.

[melody]

Thank you all so much for your very informative answers, very much appreciated! I'll try Cadder instead of Cadden as well
Mel

[AndrewP]

Hi Melody,

I've had a look at that OPR page. I think it does say "Cowcaddens". The "C" is similar to the "C" in "Christian", and some other capital "C"s elsewhere on the page.

• John Small Mason Cowcaddens & Christian Gray had their 2^d child born 8^th May bap^d 5^th June named Alexander. Alex^r Gray & Peter M^cDonald wit.

All the best,

AndrewP

[melody]

Thanks Andrew!