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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Sussex => Topic started by: Ann from Sussex on Wednesday 03 September 08 15:14 BST (UK)
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On the IGI, under batch number C018278, there are 200+ entries relating to baptisms at the church of St John the Baptist,Lewes. I haven't looked at all of them but have viewed a good sample....and every single person appears to have been born in Michigan,USA in 1877. What possible reason could there be for so many Americans, all born in the same state in the same year, to be baptised in a parish church in a small Sussex market town,albeit an important one locally? Was there a mass absentee baptism - can you have such a thing in the Church of England? - and if so, why? Or a mass descent of people from Michigan on Lewes at some time? Or is it a classic case of an error on the IGI?
My interest in this church is that it is very significant in my family history as lots of past generations of my mother's family were baptised,married and buried there. My mother was a Sunday School teacher at St John the Baptist and my parents were married there...so this mystery regarding it greatly intrigues me.
The batch number suggests the PRs have been filmed but the whole thing seems so unlikely to me.There don't seem to be any dates of baptism recorded,only dates of birth, which makes me suspicious of the fact that these records are from the register.
Can anyone come up with an explanation?
Ann
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I am sure they are not from the register. Chrisin1066land is an expert on Lewes so he may have an answer. It may be a simple computer error that has put all the baptisms in with the same birth place. Very odd though I agree. Lovely church. I have often played in concerts there.
Andrea
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Hi there
This is news to me! I have done considerable work on St John the Baptist church in Southover, Lewes - but not come across anything that would come halfway to answering any of those entries.
My suggestion is that the computer has added entries from a St John the Baptist church in Michagan USA inadvertently to St John the Baptis in UK - is there a place called Lewes in Michagan?
Would definitely believe this is a computer glitch
Chris in 1066
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I posted this query here because I knew Chris had done a lot of work on St John the Baptist registers - you've found entries for me in the past Chris for which, many thanks.And thanks for your interest in this.
I've just Googled Lewes + Michigan. There doesn't seem to be a town called Lewes, although there is a holiday complex wit that name. However, there is a Lewes in Delaware and it does have a church called St John the Baptist!
Ann
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Ann
Need we say more - Well done Ann
Proud on yer lass
Chris in 1066
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Ann
Need we say more - Well done Ann
Proud on yer lass
Chris in 1066
LOL Chris! Thankee kindly!
Ann