PolishOrigins(TM) Forum

Twin birth

roseanne — Tue Jul 06, 2021 5:42 am

Author: roseanne

Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2021 5:42 am

Thank you Dave. You gave some great information. I will save the details you provided as another reference for my files.
Yes, my question was concerning Galicia and my grandma's birth record. A cousin claimed she was a twin or had twin siblings who died. Once in America, census records indicate her mother had 3 children that died either at birth or before age 1. Thanks again, enjoy the rest of your summer.
Roseanne

Re: Twin birth

dnowicki — Mon Jul 05, 2021 5:19 pm

Author: dnowicki

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 5:19 pm

roseanne wrote:

In the birth of twins, is each child listed on separate records if only one survived?

Hi Roseanne,

I presume that you are asking about records from Galicia. In the early birth records where there is no column for the sequential number of the baptism sometimes both twins are recorded in a single entry which usually includes a notation that they are twins. Later records (2nd quarter of 19th Century on) each child got a separate number and entry. Often priests would connect the two entries with the word “gemelli” (masculine) or “gemellae” (feminine). The amount of time each child survived had no impact on the birth/baptism record. Even if one child was stillborn an entry was made in the register. Instead of a name the entry usually read “natus inanimatus” or “nata inanimata” (stillborn). Obviously no date of baptism was entered and there were no sponsors aka godparents entered. However, the date of the stillbirth and the names of the parents were included.

Attached is an image of two pages of a baptismal register from Galicia from1865. The twins are recorded on the right hand page. Note that both children died in infancy. The + indicates all the children who died in infancy. The date of death of Katarzyna is not specified. Jan died on 9 December, 1865.

I hope this helps to answer your question.

Dave

Re: Translate birth record

marcelproust — Sat Jun 26, 2021 6:56 am

Author: marcelproust

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2021 6:56 am

roseanne wrote:

I have a birth record for my grandmother. Is there any indication that she was a twin, even if the other baby did not live?

I suggest You to send Your request in the latin translations section.

Twin birth

roseanne — Sat Jun 26, 2021 6:41 am

Author: roseanne

Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2021 6:41 am

In the birth of twins, is each child listed on separate records if only one survived?