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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Silmaril on Wednesday 08 June 22 21:57 BST (UK)

Title: Strange Date Format
Post by: Silmaril on Wednesday 08 June 22 21:57 BST (UK)
Hi

I have recently encountered birth dates recorded in a strange way, a little like fractions.

Two examples are attached. What's going on here?

Any help very welcome.

Thanks
Doug
Title: Re: Strange Date Format
Post by: Gadget on Wednesday 08 June 22 22:06 BST (UK)
Could the lower figure refer to the date of baptism or is that written somewhere else?

Add - could you give the parish/source, please.
Title: Re: Strange Date Format
Post by: Silmaril on Wednesday 08 June 22 22:54 BST (UK)
Hi

Thanks for your reply.

The document, attached, shows baptisms in Derby UK but the odd dates quoted are for births in St. Petersburg, Russia. The dates for the baptisms are normal and are recorded separately.

(Look at the lower-right of the attached page.)

Thanks.
Title: Re: Strange Date Format
Post by: StevieSteve on Wednesday 08 June 22 22:56 BST (UK)
It'll be the same date in the English and Russian calendars
Title: Re: Strange Date Format
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 08 June 22 22:58 BST (UK)
Scroll down to Rest of Europe-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_dating
Title: Re: Strange Date Format
Post by: Silmaril on Wednesday 08 June 22 23:34 BST (UK)
Ahaaa !

So that's it. Thank you all very much for your help. Much appreciated.

Regards
Doug.
Title: Re: Strange Date Format
Post by: andrewalston on Thursday 09 June 22 09:06 BST (UK)
All you have to do now is find out why Thomas was in Russia!

Is he a descendant of Joseph Wright, the famous artist?

Derbyshire record office hold an "Account book with Thomas Wright, Derby" from the right period. Might it shed light?
Title: Re: Strange Date Format
Post by: Silmaril on Saturday 11 June 22 22:59 BST (UK)
The father was a merchant I believe.

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Strange Date Format
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 11 June 22 23:25 BST (UK)
Quote from: andrewalston on Thursday 09 June 22 09:06 BST (UK)
All you have to do now is find out why Thomas was in Russia!

Is he a descendant of Joseph Wright, the famous artist?

Derbyshire record office hold an "Account book with Thomas Wright, Derby" from the right period. Might it shed light?

Those wonderful candlelit images come to mind - e.g.

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/joseph-wright-of-derby-an-experiment-on-a-bird-in-the-air-pump

Add - though the idea of experimenting with a bird in an air pump is not one that I'd approve of.

Title: Re: Strange Date Format
Post by: andrewalston on Sunday 12 June 22 08:16 BST (UK)
The artist automatically came to mind when I saw the surname.

"Wright of Derby" is enough description to evoke the master of lighting effects in art.

He depicted all sorts of scientific and industrial subjects, with the lighting giving very dramatic effects.
Title: Re: Strange Date Format
Post by: JustinL on Monday 13 June 22 17:41 BST (UK)
The two dates refer to the Julian (old style) and Gregorian (new style) calendars.

This website is great for converting between the two http://5ko.free.fr/en/jul.php?y=1811 (http://5ko.free.fr/en/jul.php?y=1811)