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Birth Date

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Lynda Carol

Lynda Carol Report 28 Jul 2006 21:20

How do I find out a definate birth date. I have a rellie, another joseph latham. On the 1841 census he is down as being 35. He was married for the first time abt 1823, and for the second time in abt 1830. He died in march 1850. His death is the only definitive date I have for him-am trying to find his parents names

ErikaH

ErikaH Report 28 Jul 2006 21:28

For anyone born pre-1837, exact birth dates are very seldom found. Your nearest date is likely to be the baptism, if you can find it . And then you hope that the parents didn't have several 'done' together.......... 1841 census rounded down ages for over-15's.......... Have you checked the IGI? If you want others to help, a location would be useful info......... Reg

Glen In Tinsel Knickers

Glen In Tinsel Knickers Report 28 Jul 2006 21:32

A dob might be too much too ask,you are more likely to find a baptism date from the parish records. The 1841 census age may be a few years out,anyone aged over 15 would have the age rounded down to the nearest 5. So someone who was 39 in 1841 should be recorded as 35,someone who was 34 should be recorded as 30 etc If married under age 21 the marriage should be under licence,but that is only going to put you in a narrow band of years. Glen

Lynda Carol

Lynda Carol Report 28 Jul 2006 21:33

He was born in birmingham.What is meant by rounded down? If his age was down as 35 does that mean he could be 35-39?

Glen In Tinsel Knickers

Glen In Tinsel Knickers Report 28 Jul 2006 21:40

Yes Lynda He could have been 35,36,37,38 or 39,but still be recorded as 35 when the census was taken. Glen

Lynda Carol

Lynda Carol Report 28 Jul 2006 21:43

Glen, many thanks for the help and replies

Elly

Elly Report 28 Jul 2006 21:54

Lynda Is this him? JOSEPH LATHAM Male Event(s): Birth: 10 DEC 1815 Christening: 15 APR 1816 Saint Phillips, Birmingham, Warwick, England Parents: Father: FRANCIS LATHAM Mother: ANN Found on IGI: Batch C041796 UPDATE: IGNORE ME HE'S TOO YOUNG!

Michael

Michael Report 29 Jul 2006 04:14

It is true to say that in most cases ages on the 1841 cenus were rounded down for those under 16 but not always. The thing you must bear in mind with census records is that it is information provided to the enumerator. Information provided to them by one person in the house. Therefore it might be the age that the respondant thought they were, where the respondant thought they were born etc. Additionally it could be mis-interpreted or mis-transcribed so be careful about accepting anything as a fact. You can see thi svery clearly as these 'facts' can vary quite a bit between censuses. In addition don;t try and rely on the age recorded on a death certificate if that person was born before 1837 as in this case the age is provided by the informant (their son or whatever) to his knowledge and not bu reference to any documentation.