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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Topic started by: brn on Tuesday 30 August 22 19:05 BST (UK)

Title: Proof of birth
Post by: brn on Tuesday 30 August 22 19:05 BST (UK)

Hello, I have 2 proof of birth declarations for 2 of my ancestors from the 1860s. One seems to have been made 'for the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Customs House authorisation' in 1868. The other one has what looks like a one penny postage stamp with the wording 'Inland Revenue' across which the witness has signed his name. Can anyone tell me why there was a need for a parent to provide proof of their adult son's date of birth.

Title: Re: Proof of birth
Post by: Wexflyer on Tuesday 30 August 22 20:07 BST (UK)

Quite a few official (government) and private jobs had age limits on initial entry - not too old.

These documents are probably associated with applications for official positions, as I doubt private employers would have required such documentation (thought not impossible).

As to why a parent had too provide this proof? That is easy, civil registration of births only started in 1864, so there were no birth certificates. Baptismal certificates were I think also usually acceptable, but these were likewise often unobtainable.

And how old were these two at the time of the declarations?

Title: Re: Proof of birth
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 30 August 22 20:22 BST (UK)

The answer regarding the stamp is here-
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=660761.0

Title: Re: Proof of birth
Post by: Wexflyer on Tuesday 30 August 22 20:34 BST (UK)

Quote from: aghadowey on Tuesday 30 August 22 20:22 BST (UK)

The answer regarding the stamp is here-
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=660761.0

Yes. "Stamp duty".  Says it was a legal document.

Stamp duty is still very much alive and well in Ireland. Payable on all checks, credit cards, ATM cards, property transfer instruments, legal documents, etc.
https://www.revenue.ie/en/property/stamp-duty/index.aspx (https://www.revenue.ie/en/property/stamp-duty/index.aspx)

Title: Re: Proof of birth
Post by: brn on Wednesday 31 August 22 08:41 BST (UK)

Thanks, folks.
One was issued in Dublin (Custom House declaration), and he was aged 24 at the time. The other was issued in Ashford, Co Wicklow and he was aged 36.

Title: Re: Proof of birth
Post by: Wexflyer on Wednesday 31 August 22 18:06 BST (UK)

I did some searches of newspaper articles in the 1860s. The expression "declaration of age" turns up associated with:
- Apprentices
- Marriages
- Army enlistment
- Emigration
- Life insurance

Probably not an exhaustive list.

However, the only "custom's house declarations" that I see are associated, as one might expect, with goods being imported/exported