Genealogy Chat

Brian...I think that when you start this family tree lark, it's not only their ages they lied about. My paternal g father gave his age as 25 on his marriage cert, which gave us a clue as to when he was born... but, no, he was born in 1860 which made him 31 when he married. It was then that I found out how heavy those books are in the records office. lol

My father in law lived his life believing he was 1yr and 1 day older than what his birth certificate showed when he eventually had to apply for one near retirement age.

Thank you everyone for your responses i feel confident that they are one and the same person. However this does mean that i have probable irish catholic relatives who will dissappear from records at the potato famine era.

I have a gt gt gt grandfather who married for the second time at 65 - gave his age as 55. His new bride gave her age as 17 - though I think she might even have been younger So there's hope for me yet

Only on Birth Certificates perhaps David ! Bob

I think the question would be better the other way round. Did people ever tell the truth about their age

Brian, my great granny lied about her age saying she was 21 when she was only 20. Her father was dead so maybe she did not like to ask her mum for consent? No idea who her witnesses were! In another case My great great gran constantly listed her age as a year younger than she actually was. All the census are incorect and even her marriage cert when she was 29!

The point about the witnesses is that parent would not witness a marriage to which they did not consent as they could stop the marriage. They should be on the 1881 census as brothers if they are. But uncles are possible. Bob

The witnesses at the marriage were Thomas Mogan (brother maybe?) and Bridget O'donell. Also they couldnt sign their name. Do you think they are the same?

My Gt Grandmother was 31 when she married although the marriage cert says 23! She must have looked good that's all I can say. Gt Grandfather on another line was 19 at marriage but cert says 21. If everything else ties up, you probably have a match.

People often lied about their age. If they were less than 21 they needed parental consent. Also when old married young ages would be adjusted. Who were the witnesses at the marriage, not the parents? Bob

Frequently, though sometimes they couldn't remember how old they were. June

hello all. I have a problem i ordered a bith certificate for Martin Mogan my ancestor, and also his marriage certificate. On his marriage cert it confirms that he is married to Mary his fathers name is patrick and he is 21 as of his marriage date 22/01/1891 (my birthday incidently). On his birth cert it says martin father patrick but his birthday is 01/01/1871. This would make him just turned twenty if it is the same person on the marriage cert and not 21. Im pretty sure they are one and the same person as the familial info corresponds and there are no other martin mogan born toxteth park liverpool at that time. Did they lie about their age, he was catholic so was their an age restiriction of 21 for males at that time, or did they count themselves as the next age up because of the 9 month gestation period. has anyone had this issue? Bri liverpool/leeds