Baptismal Registers with "X's" beside names

The Kurgan

Hey all ,

Just wondering whether someone knows what the "X's refer to in the Parish Batismal Registers , have a relative on the attached with X beside their name..

Hermy

Sometimes an X beside a name is the mark of a person who may have been unable to read or write themselves.

lottpaul

In the baptismal registers that I have looked at (Cork and Ross) an X or a star or some similar symbol indicated "illegitimate" births. There was always an explanation at the top of the page -- "births marked thus are,," etc etc

pedroeibar1

Hermy wrote: »

Sometimes an X beside a name is the mark of a person who may have been unable to read or write themselves.

Agreed but not in this case as the entries in a parish register are not done by the individuals but by the priest/clerk.

Jellybaby1

I would say the 'X' would be mainly applied on the bottom of a form requiring a signature i.e.census form when the resident can't write their name, or on a marriage certificate when any of the wedding group, bride, groom, witnesses, can't write. In the case of a baptism, I'd say the 'X' was understood by the priest/s alone, it was his own way of explanation maybe. There may have been an indication of the meaning on the first page, or another page of the book, or just in his own mind.

Hermy

Sorry folks - think I got the wrong end of the stick.