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Erroneous birth dates on one person

Erroneous birth dates on one person

Posted: 20 Mar 2015 11:29PM GMT
Classification: Query
I have found 3 different birth dates on my great grandmother. Her gravestone says 1867 making her 50 at her death in 1917. Her marriage record says she was 32 in 1888 when she married and her death certificate says she was 74. This just baffles me. And yes it IS the same person all persons match such as husband etc. Can anyone advise? I can't find any official birth certificate on her either. She was born in Canada.

Re: Erroneous birth dates on one person

Posted: 21 Mar 2015 4:43AM GMT
Classification: Query
If you are absolutely sure they're the same person, I would trace her through the censuses. The closer you get to her birth year, the more accurate the age is likely to be. But unless the gravestone is crystal clear, check closely to make sure you're not misreading it. Worn markers can be difficult to read.

If you know where she came from in Canada, you might try posting on a board there to see if someone can suggest where to find a birth record.

Steve

Re: Erroneous birth dates on one person

Posted: 21 Mar 2015 1:32PM GMT
Classification: Query
Ok thanks I'll try to see if someone can help me find a Canadian birth record on her. What's really baffling is the death certificate saying she was 74 and the graves stone saying she was 50. A very wide range.
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Re: Erroneous birth dates on one person

Posted: 21 Mar 2015 6:39PM GMT
Classification: Query
Are you 100% sure that they are the same person? Are you sure they are the same husband? I came across something very similar at one point in time. I had a great great grandfather named Jacob E Dinterman. He married a Susan and died in 1907. There was another Jacob E Dinterman who also married a Susan and also died in 1907. They both lived in the same basic area and have a pretty rare last name.

There were no death certificates for them, and Maryland had no birth certificates at that time. I wouldn't be surprised if you've come across the same type of situation. It took me a year or so to figure out who was who, so much so that I ended up doing a one name study for that last name just to figure it out.

I wouldn't go by tombstones either, I've seen way too many errors on them to use them more then just a guide line. I've seen both birth and death years off by years. I would keep digging just to make sure you've got the right person even though you think you're 100% you do.

Re: Erroneous birth dates on one person

Posted: 21 Mar 2015 8:15PM GMT
Classification: Query
Ok yes I keep digging. This gravestone is in the cemetery listed on the death certificate and only one under that name though. Also the gravestone date 0f 1867 is listed in other genealogy listings. It just mystifies me so much how a gravestone and death certificate could be so far apart. Its hard to figure out too when information is hard to get or find. I will plan on finding her birth record which should be on some Canadian system you would think.

Re: Erroneous birth dates on one person

Posted: 23 May 2015 9:26PM GMT
Classification: Query
This is quite common. the info you are looking at is only as accurate as the person providing it knows. best thing you can do it look at birth/baptismal info to try and get the correct answer.
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