Need a copy of my RC baptism certificate, church lost records - HELP!

[Quickqu]

Just that really. Does anyone know if there's a central register for RC baptisms in England?

The church I was baptised in a thousand years ago closed and the priest in the local parish says the registers have been lost and he can't help me (he said it more charmingly than that).

I called a diocesan number and spoke to a clueless man who said they didn't have any records.

If anyone has any clever ideas I'd love to know - I need it for school applications and don't think blurry 1970s pictures of me in a white robe will cut it...

Thank you

What?? The church lost the records and the diocese didn't have copies? That's outrageous! I needed mine when I got married and I don't know what they would have done if I didn't get hold of a copy. (Refused to marry me?? )
Just throwing this out there, but maybe try:
The National Archives
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/catholics/

The Catholic National Library
St Michaels Abbey
280 Farnborough Road
Farnborough, Hampshire
GU14 7NQ
Phone: 01252 543818

Absolutely no idea if they can help, but they might be able to point you in the right direction at least?
Good Luck!

I think I would go back to him and ask him to put it in writing and a letter stating you have been christened (even if hr only has the white robe to go on)

It sounds bonkers but I had to get a solicitors letter saying I'd never engaged in a civil or religious marriage to satisfy DH's priests need for documents.

Also a letter written by my church saying that I'd been christened on x date.

So it would be worth asking what they'll accept?

Is it for a school application? My original baptismal record was lost when my parents divorced. I tried getting it from the Church I was baptised in but no one answered my calls and it was hundreds of miles away.

In the end I sent in some faded baptism photos and a couple of my R.C primary school reports (which presumably the governors pissed themselves at). I did attach a cover note explaining the situation......

It worked and my DS got into a massively oversubscribed R.C school.

Hope that's of some help.

That's ridiculous it's not a legal thing. And surely current attendance would be more relevant. Sorry that's no help whatsoever.

I don't see why a photo wouldn't be proof enough though. Must happen a lot.

Oh, I had this with my confirmation or holy communion? I can't remember? It was registered at my baptism church weirdly even though I hadn't attended the baptism church since 6 weeks old.

Is it maybe something like that?

Possibly try the diocese?

Do you have your first Communion or confirmation certificate? You wouldn't have been able to make those without being baptised so one of those (coupled with the explanation about the baptismal records) might do the trick.

I assumed the diocese would have have had a record, but obviously not.

What are the criteria for the school admissions. Is there any way round it there? Otherwise a letter from the priest and confirmation certificate might cut it. They must have records of your confirmation if you had one.

Gosh, our RC school just wanted evidence of the child's baptism, not mine. I just ticked a box to say I am RC, my husband isn't. DC's got places at school no problem. I wonder why there is such a difference in what they ask for?

I was thinking the same 52 I had to provide a copy of the kids baptism certificates not mine wouldn't have a clue where to start if I needed mine.
Good luck op.

VA schools can set their own admissions criteria and how tight they are often depends on how much competition there is for places. Some will only consider a child that's baptised as RC others, with less competition for places will also consider an unbaptised child with a baptised RC parent as RC.

If your child is baptised, then you won't have needed proof of your own baptism.