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Author Topic: What are the less obvious ways to find a birthdate?  (Read 1141 times)

Offline Yellow Peril

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What are the less obvious ways to find a birthdate?
« on: Thursday 17 January 13 13:30 GMT (UK) »
I'm trying to link two Robert Symonds, one born in Necton 1760 as stated in Parish Records and one buried in West Lexham in 1826 with an age the works out as the birth year 1760.

If I can find the birthday of the Lexham Robert I could see if it matches that of Necton Robert and I could then be reasonable safe to assume that they were one and the same.

I've got a copy of WL Robert's will but no birthdate on that (oh and an address would be nice), so anyone got any ideas where else a birthdate could appear?

Thanks

Terry

Offline confused73

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Re: What are the less obvious ways to find a birthdate?
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 17 January 13 13:35 GMT (UK) »
What was his occupation, could he have been an apprentice, that could give a clue to his age. Marriage cert, even if it does not give his age it would tell you if he was a minor or not?
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Offline Yellow Peril

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Re: What are the less obvious ways to find a birthdate?
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 17 January 13 13:43 GMT (UK) »
I know his age, it's the actual birthday I want to confirm, then I could match it (or not) to the Necton Robert to see if they connect.

He was a Molecatcher.

Offline carol8353

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Re: What are the less obvious ways to find a birthdate?
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 17 January 13 16:56 GMT (UK) »
The only record of a date of birth back then would be if a very thorough vicar put a DOB next to a baptism date. Exact dates weren't that important till much later.
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Offline Yellow Peril

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Re: What are the less obvious ways to find a birthdate?
« Reply #4 on: Friday 18 January 13 08:34 GMT (UK) »
Yes, I have the actual date for Necton Robert, but only the calculated (from the headstone) birth year for West Lexham Robert, this is where I wondered maybe school, doctor's, solicitor's etc. records may show a recorded birth date.

Offline dawnsh

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Re: What are the less obvious ways to find a birthdate?
« Reply #5 on: Monday 21 January 13 10:37 GMT (UK) »
Unless your ancestor was wealthy, they may not have been able to afford the services of a doctor or solicitor and there was no legal right to an education until the end of the 19th century.

Dawn
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Offline Yellow Peril

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Re: What are the less obvious ways to find a birthdate?
« Reply #6 on: Monday 21 January 13 10:41 GMT (UK) »
He had both a doctor and a solicitor and I have their names, it would appear that Mole catching paid well.

Offline jds1949

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Re: What are the less obvious ways to find a birthdate?
« Reply #7 on: Monday 21 January 13 18:10 GMT (UK) »
If the Robert who died in West Lexham in 1826 was a person of means, it may well be that the local paper had an obituary for him which might give you evidence of his birth. If I were you I'd try my nearest central library and see if they have a subscription to the online 19th century British Library newspaper archive which is searchable by name, place and date.

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Offline ReadyDale

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Re: What are the less obvious ways to find a birthdate?
« Reply #8 on: Monday 21 January 13 18:22 GMT (UK) »
Quote from: Yellow Peril on Thursday 17 January 13 13:30 GMT (UK)
I'm trying to link two Robert Symonds, one born in Necton 1760 as stated in Parish Records and one buried in West Lexham in 1826 with an age the works out as the birth year 1760.

If I can find the birthday of the Lexham Robert I could see if it matches that of Necton Robert and I could then be reasonable safe to assume that they were one and the same.

I've got a copy of WL Robert's will but no birthdate on that (oh and an address would be nice), so anyone got any ideas where else a birthdate could appear?

Thanks

Terry
A couple of thoughts...

Does the will of the WL Robert name any siblings and/or siblings children, that can be cross-checked against the Nexton Robert's?

Can you find any other Robert Symonds in baptisms, marriages or burials, that may prove they are NOT the same (sometimes easier to prove a negative than to prove a positive)
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