What does B.V.P. mean? It's on my dad's birth certificate under his baptism, so I think it's a Catholic thing

Question

My late Dad's birth certificate has details of his baptism on the back. He was a Catholic. Under the baptism details are 3 lines saying B.V.P., each with a date. The only thing I can find on the internet for B.V.P. is the Catholic party in Germany during the war. Given that Dad was badly wounded fighting the Germans, I don't think he'd have joined that! Anyway, the dates on the certificate are late 60s and early 70s. Anyone out there got a clue?

Answer 1

I am not sure but it could mean 'British Visitor's Passport'.

Answer 2

I wonder whether peewit was on to something? The British Visitor's Passport was referred to as BVP. It was in existence from 1961 to 1995, and could be obtained at a post office. It was a single page cardboard passport, only valid for one year, and could be used by Britons to travel in Western Europe. I reckon that your father presented his birth certificate at the post office, as proof of identity, and the issues of the BVP were annotated on the reverse of the certificate. Perhaps you (or another relative/friend of your father) have knowledge of his travels to Europe that tally with the dates.

I think this is the answer - well it has convinced me!

Answer 3

Are the letters handwritten? I'm wondering if maybe this was someone signing off on your Dad's Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. Do you know if he was baptized as a baby? (I think I'm grasping at straws here.)

There's also the possibility that if this is a German document that the initials are for German words... makes things a bit more tricky.

Answer 4

It was originally founded with good intentions.
The Catholic Centre Party (BVP) was formed in 1871. Originally the party sought to defend Catholic interests against the predominantly Protestant policies of Otto von Bismarck. However, it later became more concerned with the growth of socialism and communism in Germany.

If it was BVM it means Blessed Virgin Mary.

Answer 5

If your father was German it would stand for Bavarian Peoples Party a branch of the Catholic center party. Go to the following http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bavarian_people%27s_party Hope this helps good luck......