Are mistakes made on birth certs?

[stanmapstone]

A man I researched recently was born in 1863, but each census return showed him getting younger, and by the time he married he had lost 10 years...  

Barbara

The recording of ages in the census returns is without doubt one of the most problematic. The ages reported in the census must be regarded as only a rough approximations of fact, although in very general terms the majority of the ages stated will be consistent from census to census. Most discrepancies will be in the order of one or two years, but larger differences are by no means uncommon. 'Making Sense of the Census' by Edward Higgs.

Stan

[WHS1899]

Thanks everyone!

I hadn't thought about D'arcy being a middle name...could explain a lot. Frederick Ballard, the son of Joseph Ballard and Hannah "D'arcy" is living with his mother, Hannah Ballard in 1881. Everything from this census points to her being Hannah FAWKES from Bisley.....

I think it will probably turn out to be some sort of mistake on the birth cert, but will look into it further!

Beverley

[Cybermouse]

This thread has certainly explained a lot for me. Up until a few week ago I was going around in circles with my G G Grandfather who's death certificate stated his mother as Elizabeth Wing Forge. After tearing my hair out trying to match a Wing Forge with the right dates (and almost giving up) I discovered she is in fact his grandmother! (no, she didnt raise him as she died quite young) Mother was Eliza Ann King who also died when he was very young.
 If that isnt enough when G G Grandfather's daughter Elizabeth marries she states her mother as Elizabeth Mitchell when it should be Sarah Mitchell. Just out of interest Elizabeth's husband was the informant for G G Grandfather's death certificate information. ARRRRGGGGG!
I have been wondering if this type of thing was common on certificates and now I know I'm not alone.
Bron

[Simon G.]

Are mistakes made on birth certs?  Short answer, yes with an if.  Long answer, no with a but.

Seriously, mistakes do happen.  My great-grandfather's birth certificate has a little note added in 1948 (60-years after he was born) correcting his surname (the correction notes his elder brother and sister-in-law attesting to the correct surname)...the family was of Dorset, so I full expect their accent threw off the registrar when he was registered in Pontypool here in Wales.  At the end of the day, registrars are only human and they can make mistakes quite easily.

[BradMajors]

The birth certificate might be correct.  I am researching this couple and I think that Hannah's parents might not be married.  In which case, even though she is listed on the census as a Fawkes, D'arcy may be Hannah's mother and Hannah's legal surname.

[indiapaleale]

This might not be considered a mistake - but this type of thing has certainly caused our family a headache - and a laugh!

Grandad went to register the birth of his 4th son - he named him Arnold Eric. As it happened, he had spent a few hours down the pub wetting the babies head before he went to the register office. Being a bit tipsy - he named him Arnold Eric - the same name as his 3rd son. So I had 2 uncles named Arnold Eric - and Grandma was not amused.

Birth, marriage and death certs are a wonderful mystery. Oh how people lied - or went to the pub!

Indi

[Shropshire Lass]

I know of someone - I'll use John Smith as a pseudonym for him - who has gone through life officially as John Holder Smith.  The middle name came about because both parents, little baby and toddler sister all went to register the birth.  Father, who was a very abrupt character, was giving the information and was also carrying wriggling daughter.  The Registrar asked for the new baby's name and Father said "John" then, to his wife "Hold her!" and handed the toddler over, then to Registrar, "Smith".  He then realised that the Registrar had put the unwanted middle name in.  The Registrar insisted that as the certificate had been filled the Father would have to pay again to have an amended one.  Father refused and John's birth certificate will no doubt cause endless headaches for family researchers in the future, trying to tie in his middle name with non-existant connections.

[WHS1899]

Hi BradMajors,

Thanks for the message. You say you are researching this couple......what connection do you have to them? I'd love to hear from you. I've also sent a personal message to you.
WHS

[Dorothy Hill]

I have on my tree the name Fawks or Faux, the ancestors of Jane Faux born 1797 in Keynsham, Somerset.  Jane married on 4 December 1819 one of my ancestors, Jonathan Fray born 1799 in Keynsham.    Would this fit in with any of your Fawkes?

Dorothy