Family Historian User Group

What is the difference between baptism and christening? Why are there two fields?

ID:966

The reason there are two is because the GEDCOM standard provides both.

Normally Baptisums are done with babies, but Christenings are done latter, however there are no hard and fast rules.

Most people use one or the other all the time. If you search this site and the Mailing list archive there have been many discussions on the subject.

As a baptist I would reverse your definitions. Christening is a naming ceremony for babies, baptism is entry into the church for adults. There may be churches which use the terms the other way round but I don't know of any.