Different birth dates?

[littleem1906]

Getting into a muddle!

I have MINNIE RICHMOND, who was born around 1901 in Birmingham or Aston.

I know for certain that she married ALBERT EDWARD STANLEY in February 1922. Her age at that time is listed as 21. She was living at 9 Warwick Street and her father was listed as Charles Richmond.

In the 1921 census, I found Minnie living with father Charles and mother Elizabeth at 9 Warwick Street. Her age is listed as 21 and 9 months. This would give her a birth date (if the census was taken in June) of around September 1899. Surely if this is correct she would have been 22 at time of marriage?

By the time we get to the 1939 register, Minnie’s birth date is given as 23rd Dec 1901. (1902 had been written first and then crossed out with another pen. 1901 is written instead). If THIS birth date is correct, then she would have been 19 at the time of the 1921 census and 20 at the time of her marriage.

How can all the dates be so off? I know for certain this is all the same Minnie. I looked on GRO for a possible birth registration for a Minnie Richmond in Birmingham around that year and came up with nothing. There is a register for a Minnie Richmond in Aston in the first quarter in 1899. Mother’s maiden name is Underwood. There are some of the other siblings from 1921 also listed on GRO with mother’s maiden name Underwood.

I then found a marriage between a Charles Richmond and an Elizabeth Underwood, who I believe are Minnie’s parents.

Could it just be that Minnie’s birth date muddles are errors, or am I missing something obvious?

[CaroleW]

Her birth was registered March qtr 1899 which suggests a birthdate of Dec 1898
In 1901 she is 2yrs old

Feb 1922 she would have been 22 not 21.

[ALAMO2008]

Em you are in a Muddle because you believe Records only show the Whole Truth and nothing but the Truth
They are a Record of what was Said which may not be the Truth
In Research you have to be more Flexible
CaroleW has found the Real Birth in December 1898 Registered in March Quarter 1899
Send for the Birth Certificate

[heywood]

Her birth was registered March qtr 1899 which suggests a birthdate of Dec 1898
In 1901 she is 2yrs old

Feb 1922 she would have been 22 not 21.

1901 2859 /68/26
Census page shows 2 1/2 (presumably 2yrs 6 months) in March 1901
The other children just have a round number.

[hanes teulu]

Em you are in a Muddle because you believe Records only show the Whole Truth and nothing but the Truth
They are a Record of what was Said which may not be the Truth

Just this morning I have dealt with a thread where -
1841 Census - age 55 (b. 1782-1786 allowing for rounding)
1851 Census - age 54 (b. 1797)
1858 Burial  - age 80 (b. 1778)
1858 newspaper death notice - age 79 (b.1779)

My grandmother shaved 15 years off her age after marrying a younger man.

[CaroleW]

She died in 1966 aged 67.  Birthyear shown as about 1899