ship's manifests record of age

[kclinch]

1849 Black Ball Line's Yorkshire manifest shows John Clynch age 30 and Ellen age 28. My digging suggests john was actually 37 and Ellen 41. How was age of passenger managed? Did the passenger provide the info? Did some agent look at a person, guess at an age and write it down? Was there some incentive to under-state one's age when purchasing tickets? There is quite a separation from the manifest info and my information to make me question whether these two passengers are my ancestors; well, three passengers, the infant is un-named, as seems to be the practice for toddlers under the age of two. I am not familar with manifests, so relying on all the experienced viewers out there.

[Wexflyer]

Many people didn't know their age. Simple as that.

[bikermickau]

I have a immigrating image of a Grandmother and 20 known descendants of hers consisting of 2 sons, their wives and their children.
Her age is shown as 10 years younger, all the others are about right.

Age records on shipping documents are sometimes the same as 1841 English census ages, a few years over or under.

Mick

[hanes teulu]

Did you find the ClYnch information at FamilySearch?

"The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation" site has the 1849 Yorkshire passenger list indexed - John and Ellen Clynch (ages 30 and 28). However, the index states "To see more information log in or join" - which involves subscribing. I am not aware what that "more information" would deliver.

[kclinch]

the record i saw was microfilm of actual register. Viewed at Albuquerque main library's Genealogy room; don't recall the website. Given the microfilm shot captures entire handwritten page, i conclude the "for further information...." is a sales pitch. multiple factors point to the John and Ellen as my Irish immigrant ancestors, but that 28yrs vs. 41 years makes me wonder. Why would a transport company hauling hundreds of hungry immigrants care about the age listed?

[hanes teulu]

I first checked FamilySearch which delivered images the Yorkshire's manifest showing John and Ellen + infant (unnamed) with minimal info . Can be viewed here provided you are registered (which is FREE).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5593-ZS?view=index&cc=1849782&lang=en&groupId=

The immigrants were registered at Ellis Island and additional info. was sought but no guarantee it would be present - or present but doesn't take it any further eg. "Birthplace - Ireland". The ship's manifest asked "The country to which they severally belong" - no drilling down.

[Sinann]

Did you find the ClYnch information at FamilySearch?

"The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation" site has the 1849 Yorkshire passenger list indexed - John and Ellen Clynch (ages 30 and 28). However, the index states "To see more information log in or join" - which involves subscribing. I am not aware what that "more information" would deliver.

You have to register to view the ships manifest but you don't have to subscribe.

[Zaphod99]

That is so true. These days we seem to have to enter our date of birth into some web form several times a day. It would be impossible to forget your date of birth these days under normal circumstances.

Zaph

Many people didn't know their age. Simple as that.

[hanes teulu]

Did you find the ClYnch information at FamilySearch?

"The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation" site has the 1849 Yorkshire passenger list indexed - John and Ellen Clynch (ages 30 and 28). However, the index states "To see more information log in or join" - which involves subscribing. I am not aware what that "more information" would deliver.

You have to register to view the ships manifest but you don't have to subscribe.

FamilySearch is free, just register.
"Subscribing" refers to the Ellis Island Foundation site - cannot remember if I had to register first to access the passenger list FREE - essentially an index. After that, subscription to view more.