This necessitated learning as much as possible about comparative baptismal practices by establishing a basic reference point. He addresses changing terminology over the centuries, focusing on prevailing religious groups and early baptismal records within an early Pennsylvania setting while providing background of theology and ritual representing practitioners of all faiths. The theology and background for each religion are much the same in all locations. It is no surprise that many common problems encountered by genealogists working with Pennsylvania records are virtually duplicated within baptismal registers in all the colonies. This is an important reference book for all family historians because his book addresses that issue.
Researchers working with early church records face any number of obstacles.
The search for information cannot be limited to the records of one faith because of difficulties early churches had in securing pastors. Some of our ancestors were forced to go elsewhere to have their children baptized. In the search for alternative sources genealogists must have some knowledge of which churches were open to baptizing the infants of non-members. Genealogists face the prospect of working with a variety of baptismal records all of which have different meanings. To fully exploit the information that is available in those records, the family historian must have some knowledge of what lies behind them.