Latin in certificates

[patrickw]

I have recently discovered in a parish record a number of interesting (for me)
baptismal records. unfortunaly they seem to be in latin. I am told that
Roman catholic documents were often transcribed this way. Is this true?
I have managed to work out the obvious i.e, the person being baptised, mother, father etc, but one that is throwing me is " MATRINA FUIT" The name given in this column seems to be that of the subjects wife and that can hardly seems right, given that he was only 3 days old at the time. I hope someone can help on this. Thanks in anticipation.
Pat

 

[sterico]

Hi pat,
you are correct in assuming roman catholic birth certs were indeed written in latin, I checked online and with our local parish priest on the translation on " Matrina Fuit " the translation is "the godfather/ mother" in respect of birth certs, hope this is of help to you. By the way I got your pm about you being "all shook up" hope there was no damage best regards stericoO0

 

[juliejtp]

See link below found this on the Tyne and Wear archives site under Records of the Roman Catholic Church Matrina Fuit means godmother. Scroll down to baptism page 4.

http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk/pdf/userguide12.pdf

 

[juliejtp]

Beat me to it Sterico.

 

[patrickw]

Thank you to you both for your prompt assistance, and yes this does make sense. He married a Winifred and it seems had an older sister of the same name to whom he later became estranged. This 'discovery' is opening up a whole new avenue of invetigation for me. Thanks again to you both.
Best wishes
Pat