Birth-baptism intervals in 68 Lancashire parishes, 1646-1917

This article examines the birth/baptism interval in 68 Anglican parishes. It provides a continuous annual record from 1646 to 1917 thereby augmenting previous studies in which periods such as the 1640s, the mid-eighteenth and late-nineteenth centuries have been sparsely represented. During the seventeenth century intervals remained stable, but afterwards they increased with many parishes experiencing late baptism. Evidence is also presented to support the view that serious epidemic illness could result in shortening of the interval while population increase or a change of incumbent could lead to a lengthening of the interval.