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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Wiltshire => Topic started by: las camelias on Friday 27 April 07 23:23 BST (UK)

Title: 1634/5 ? Why two years given?
Post by: las camelias on Friday 27 April 07 23:23 BST (UK)

Can anyone tell me why on some parish entries, two years are given?

For example :

Hindon Baptism
26 Feb 1635/6 William son of Henrie & Anne

Thanks
Jan

Title: Re: 1634/5 ? Why two years given?
Post by: Valda on Saturday 28 April 07 08:36 BST (UK)

Until 1752 in England the 1st January was not the start of the new year but Lady day on 25th March. So each year ran from 25th March to 24th March.
Usually the two years are given in modern indexes and sometimes in the actual parish register itself. In the C17th their calendar was the Julian calendar so they knew which date they were on, but were also aware of the Gregorian calendar date
When the change was finally made to the Gregorian calendar in 1752 (Scotland changed much earlier) which is more accurate, the calendar was so far out that 11 days had to disappear.
The start of the year at Lady day is still with us - its called the start of the financial year = Lady Day + the missing 11 days.

http://www.adsb.co.uk/date_and_time/calendar_reform_1752/

Regards

Valda