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Most traditions in my family are based on the Catholic religion. One such tradition is the naming of children. At one time children in my family were named after the Saints. This practice slowly faded due to babies being born at home and not in a hospital. It was hard to register the proper names of these babies being born at home, as home was usually in the country too far from town. Babies born at home under one Christian name were later taken into town and registered, by another family member, under a different name; this name not being one of a Saint (perhaps because the other family member was not Catholic).

Catholic religion also asks that a child at a certain age, if I recall correctly it is at 6 years, confirm his belief in the religion. At that time the child is asked to choose a confirmational name for himself from a list of names of Saints provided. My full name at that time became Carol Janet Joan (after Saint Joan of Arc). My Christian name, Carol, is from one of my uncles on my mother’s side. His name was Carl and my mom made it feminine by adding the o.

This leads to another belief; not naming children after a deceased relative. It is believed that if you name your child after a deceased family member you are bringing a new and an extra sorrow onto the immediate family of the deceased. However, you can name your baby after a living relative. This is done to show honour to the relative.

Although many of the younger generation in my family are no longer practicing Catholics these beliefs are still followed to some extent.