Examples
of Certificates of Baptism for H.E.I.C. Officers
As
a general point, comparison with naval
certificates of service for those in similar circumstances and passings may not only be of
academic interest to those involved in professional matters, but also of use to
genealogists whose forebears may have served both on East Indiamen and
men-o-war.
.
Source: BL:
IOR: L/MAR/C/669 - Maritime Service - Certificates of Age or Baptism - Seasons
1780 to 1800
.
There are two
boxes, each of three parts. In numerical order, it is indexed alphabetically in
part one. Overwhelmingly these are hand-written, although some are on printed
forms.
.
Example:-
.
Part four, number
613
.
‘London
}
....to Wit }
Henry James
Rider of Lambeth in the County
of Surrey Gentleman maketh
Oath and Saith
that he hath been informed by his Parents
which information he verily believes to be true
that he was born in the Town of Leeds in
the County of York on the twentieth day of
April one
thousand seven hundred and seventy two
........................................................Hy. Js Rider.
Sworn at the
Guildhall.....}
......London this 14th April }
......1794 before me
......Paul le Mesurier Mayor’
Source: BL:
IOR: L/MAR/C671 - Baptismal Certificates of Various Midshipmen appointed
1820-30
.
This single volume
is alphabetically indexed at the front.
.
p.26
.
‘“Page 32”.................... “Baptisms 1801”
“28 - Charles
William Son of James Wenn and
Henrietta Emma
Maria his Wife late
Henrietta Emma
Maria Hamilton Spinster
was born the 6th and baptized the 17th
of
August” -
.....The above is a true Copy taken from
the Register Book of Baptisms for the
Parish of Saint
Peter in Ipswich in
the County of Suffolk the 10th day of
April 1822. -
.......................John Charlesworth
.........................Officiating Minister’
.
Also attached to
these are standardised and printed certificates:-
.
‘.......................................No 34
...................................These are to certify to the Honourable
Committee of
Shipping of the United East-India Company,
................That Mr. Charles William Wenn
is qualified in the Lunar Method of finding the
Longitude at
Sea.
..........In working the Time for correction of Chronometers.
..........In measuring Angular distances, taking Altitudes
with an Artificial Horizon, and working them.
Dated the 11th
Augt 1822.............................Jno Lynn’
.
.
Source: BL:
IOR: L/MAR/C/687 - Certificates of Births and Baptism of Midshipmen appointed
C.1815-31
.
Again a single
volume, in this case these are unindexed
and in approximate date of the raising of the certificates. Overwhelmingly
these are hand-written, although some are on printed forms. The information
varies greatly, some being very brief and others running to numerous pages and
can be worthwhile finding.
.
Example:-
.
No. 7
.
‘A true Copy of
the Register of Baptisms
in the Parish of Great Torrington in the
County
of Devon. -------------------------
.
....James Frederick, Son of the Rev
John Palmer
& Jane his Wife was
baptized in the Parish Church of Great
Torrington,
August 10th 1803
...............George Morgan, Minister’
Go to examples of comparable naval certificates of service
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