Genealogy Chat

Quick question, can a date of birth from a death index record be incorrect, trying to trace James William McDonald, my grandfather, died 25/12/1990 Grimsby, date of birth says 11/7/1912 cannot seem to find anything on birth index that would match up.

Anyone help?

Yes it can be incorrect. It is only accurate if the person who reported the death knew the correct date of birth. If they weren't sure or guessed or something, the wrong one will be recorded on the index.

Sam x

Could he have been born in Scotland?

Could it have an A in it.

James W MacDonald
Year of Registration: 1912
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
Mother's Maiden Name: Downes
District: Goole
County: Humberside, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire - West Riding
Volume: 9c
Page: 1866

Gail

Hi Janeila
You dont say wether he was born in grimsby, but I found a James William MACDONALD b to mother Downes reg Goole Which is not that far from Grimsby ref 9c 1866 in the Sept qtr 1912.
which would cover that birth date.
Or do you know for a fact his birthday was another date
The registration is only as good as who reports it so if his mother was illiterate then the registrar would write it down as he heard it.
Does that help
Carol

It may have been Mac, but not sure as all his children were born Mc, but on my birth certificate my mothers maiden name is spelt Mac. I have been told that he had a brother and a sister, Tom and Lydia not sure of ages and cannot be sure this is true. Also he married twice and his name was down as Mc. Don't know if this helps.

Thanks Jen

Hi did your James marry a Lainchbury.
if so he says he was 19 in 1931.

So 1912 for his birth would be right.

Sheila

Thanks everyone for your help, he did marry a Freda G Lainchbury, no idea what happened to her though, he also married Evelyn Ethel Cook in 1948 in Grimsby. Looks like I'll have to order a birth certificate now as no idea what his parents were called, had a look through marriage records for Downes and McDonald but came up with nothing.

Thanks again for your help

Jen

Surely his marriage cert(s) would name his father? That way you'd have something to cross-check against on the 1912 birth cert.

Richard

His father was John James. a fisherman

Do you have the details of his marrage to Freda?

I have them if you want them.

Freda Greenaway McDonald died 12th June 1936 in Grimsby
Buried in Scartho Road Cemetery Grimsby

Sheila

Hi Sheila

You are a star, I do not have the details of the marriage, so if you could let me know I would be very grateful.

How do you find all this info?

A very happy Jen.

Hi Jen I have sent a pm to you.


Sheila