Latin Terminology in Roman Catholic Parish Records
The church records in Sacred Heart Parish and St Joseph Church in South Bend, Indiana used more Latin than I have seen thus far in my search through the County Mayo Roman Catholic Parish Records. The Latin used in the County Mayo records seems spotty and varies from parish to parish. The microfilm record quality of these records ranges from barely ledgible to quite clear with nice script. Many of the pages are pale, faded, or the ink is bleeding through the other side of the page. It is anyone's guess if my family or yours is lost in those pages. Understanding the latin that is used can make the interpretation process easier.
The County Mayo records seem to use the latin word "olim" frequently in association with the female parent in the baptismal record. Roughly translated, it means once was. I believe it is referring to the spouse's maiden name. In example, it might say Martinus Brennan filius of Martinus and Catharina Brennan (olim Corcoran). County Mayo records also seem to refer to twins by the Latin word gemini.
The following are some of the more commonly used Latin terms I have seen in the church records.
| Latin | English Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Ablutus est or baptus est | He was baptized |
| Aetas or aetatis | Age |
| In Aeternum | Forever |
| Anno Domini | Year |
| Aprilis | April |
| Augustus | August |
| Baptizavi | I Baptized |
| Caelibis | Unmarried |
| Cognomen | Family or Surname |
| Conjugibus or Conjugium | Marriage |
| Defunctus | Dead |
| Die | Day |
| Februaris | February |
| Fillia or Filliam | Daughter |
| Filius or Fillium | Son |
| Funus | Funeral |
| Geminus | Twin |
| Hebdomada | Week |
| Heri | Yesterday |
| Hodie | Today |
| Humatus est | He was buried |
| Illegitimus | Illegitimate |
| Impedimento | Impediment |
| Impositum est Nomen | Given Name |
| Janus | January |
| Jovis dies | Thursday |
| Julius | July |
| Juno | June |
| Lunae dies | Monday |
| Maia | May |
| Mars | March |
| Marti | Married Couple |
| Martis dies | Tuesday |
| Matriumonium | Marriage |
| Mater | Mother |
| Matrina | Grandmother |
| Mensis | Month |
| Mercurii dies | Wednesday |
| Mortus | Died |
| Natus or Nativitus | Born or Birth |
| Nullus | None |
| Obiit | He or she died |
| Olim | Formerly, once was |
| Pater | Father |
| Patrinus | Godfather |
| Requietum in pace | Rest in Peace (I saw this in the Loughglynn RCP Co Roscommon Records that I believe are death records) |
| Saturni dies | Saturday |
| Sepultura, Sepultus | Burial, Buried |
| Scriptus | Written |
| Sepelivi | I Buried |
| Solis dies | Sunday |
| Testes adfuerunt | Witnesses present |
| Uxur | Wife |
| Veneris dies | Friday |
| Vidua | Widow |