wrong ages on census

[genjen]

What's his name? Do you have him in 1881 with his parents?

[charlotteCH]

Have you looked on the freebmd for him?  Probably stupid question as it's so obvious but worth suggesting.

charlotte

[Ruskie]

Can you find him via father's name, occupation, place of birth or a combination of all 3? 

[genjen]

Tell us the details that you do have - we might be able to help.

 

[Tati]

Are we talking about George Bennett, bigjon? 

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,295403.0.html

I'd trust the earliest census he's found on (=age 2 in 1871) 

Several possible birth registrations in Dudley in 1868/1869, but on Westmidlands BMD there's only one in Sedgley (1868) ... might be worth ordering the cert there
http://www.bmsgh.org/cgi/birthind.cgi 

[bigjon]

  Thanks guys

yes Tati it is George Bennett. I have his marriage on May 2 1893 to Martha Tennant. This gives his father as Joseph.I think I have traced him back through the census to 1841 but have not yet confirmed this line.
His youngest son Enoch was born 14 January 1918 in Mansfield Notts.
I have checked electoral lists and he is not mentioned on these ( Martha is )
I have never found his birth or his death.
I am willing to buy certificates but how can I be sure they are the correct ones?
PS. I have always assumed his birth year to be 1869.
Thanks again for your interest.

[Tati]

If you order via the GRO, you can ask for a reference check (= issue cert only if father's name is Joseph or somesuch).

If you order via WestmidlandsBMD, I understand Sandwell register office are even more helpful:

The cost of checking the first eight references is covered by the GENERAL SEARCH fee, but an additional charge will be made for each subsequent reference checked unless a certificate is issued from the entry, in which case the certificate fee only will be payable

.
http://www.bmsgh.org/wmbmd/birth_app_info.html

 

[Rayw1]

  Dear Big Jon, Although you probably know this by now, it may suffice for others. If your ancestor was born in December 1868 he would have been one year old in December 1869. He would then have been two years old in December 1770. Therefore he would have still been two years old all the way through 1871. He was still two years old until he reached December 1771 and THEN he turned three. Your assumption that his birth year was 1869 is one that many have made over many years. Always assume one year either side of the year you are researching, that way you will not make that error unless of course the wrong age is being given. I have done this myself in the past and have learned from my mistake.
rayw1