Genealogy Chat

Thanks guys, was not fully aware to the possibility of baptism/birthday anomilies like that. Still at the ' makey learney' stage of this fascinating hobby, but learning something new from the very kind and most helpful people there are on this site.

If its from the IGI it sounds like a misunderstanding of the information in the register.

If you look at the Pedigree Resource File on Family Search for the same person, you will see they have recorded the birth and the baptism as the same date (3rd July)......I know occasionally baby's were baptised on their birth day, but I bet he was 6 months old! Merry

Phoenix, That sounds the most likely reason. I wonder if the birth information was taken from the IGI? This entry was submitted by a member of the LDS church and not from records so it might not be reliable. Although it gives July as the birthdate, as you suggest it might be the baptism date. Kath. x

If his date of birth was 3 July, when was he baptised? Unless his family was nonconformist, the likelihood is that only his baptism is recorded. Modern (ie from 1813!) C of E baptism registers only have boxes for baptism dates. Is it possible that he was baptised at six months old and so born at Xmas?

Hi Nell & Kath, All those scenarios crossed my mind, his parents names were Stephen and Ann (Betts} Stephen was a sailmaker in G Yarmouth, Norfolk so no obvious clues there. Suppose he was lucky not to be called The Fairy On Top The Tree!!!

Probably after an ancestor. I thought you were going to ask why they would be married or christened on Christmas day. Had my answer all typed out and had to delete it. Serves me right for being too quick of the mark. Kath. x

Maybe he was an early baby, conceived on Christmas Day? Or perhaps Christmas was a family surname? Or maybe mummy and daddy had a wicked sense of humour? nell

Have found a relative of my wife by the grand name of Christmas Day Godfrey. His date of birth was:- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - -- - - Yep that's right :- 3rd July !!! (1817) I just can't work that one out, any ideas anybody?