Genealogy Chat

I also have ancestors who changed their ages. One ancestor did so that he was closer in age to his wife. Have several others who were off by a few years (depending on what document I'm looking at). One ancestor is shown on a census as James, on another as Joseph -- I've confirmed they are both the same person. I've heard (don't know how true this is) that when the son is named after the father, he sometimes uses his middle name until the father passes away. Once again, don't know if that is a myth. Have also heard that not everyone was registered "back then". Also, my James from above was born in late 1826. There is a record of a James being christened in early 1827; don't know if it is mine. Perhaps your ancestor was christened in a different year? Good luck!

Are you sure he was born in 1847, as if you are just going by the age given on a census it could be out by a few years. I have found in my family that nobody seems to have their exact age on anything. Even in the cases where I have the birth, marriage and death certificates the ages always seem to be out by a year or two (sometimes even more). I don't think half of them could add up or perhaps in those days were just too busy keeping body and soul together to keep track of birthdays. Also although birth registration started in 1837, it wasn't compulsory until about 1875.

Margaret Both are possibilities - he may not have been registered at all, or he may have been registered somewhere other than where he gave as his "place of birth" on the census. Maybe if you post the info on here, other GC members may be able to help?

Hi I have been looking for the birth of someone born in 1847 I must admit I have only looked in the place he said he was born on the 1881 census which is the same place he got married do you think he was born somewhere else although I can't seem to find a birth for this name so maybe he was not registered. Margaret