Baptism and compadrium of slaves: Montes Claros (MG), 19th century

Abstract

This article compares the baptismal records of slave children in the parish records of Montes Claros (in northem Minas Gerais) during three different periods: 1815-19, 1840-44 and 1872-76. The author first reviews evidence dealing with slave godparents in other Brazilian regions. As for Montes Claros, most godparents were free citizens although the percentage of slave godparents increased over time. Other trends included an increasing number of slaves whose slave godparents came from neighboring estates and a diminshing participation of landowners or their relatives as godparents.