confusion with dates of birth

[Deniseb60]

Does anybody know how I can sort out confusion with dates of birth? My relative lived in Fulford in York but was born in Kimbolton in Shropshire. We have found them on the 1841 census and the 1851 census and the birth year was given as 1806. However, we have been to York and looked at the parish records, newspaper records and monumental inscriptions. In the local paper at the time of his death he is mentioned as being 78, which means that he would have been born in 1785. Bowdler is a rare surname in the York area but common in Shropshire. I think it is highly unlikely that 2 families would have the Father & Mother and three sons all with the same name, all living in Fulford. Can anyone tell me what to do next?

 

[p.risboy]

I assume your relative is Thomas Bowdler, and it may help us if this a correct assumption.

Have you got his death cert.?? What year was the newspaper article.

1841 census.

Thomas Bowdler
Age: 35
abt 1806

Civil Parish: Fulford Ambo
Hundred: Ouse and Derwent
Yorkshire

Address:

Occupation: Gardener.

Reg District: York
Sub-reg Dist - Walmgate

Thomas Bowdler 35. n.b.i.c
Mary Bowdler 30.
Thomas Bowdler 15.
Edward Bowdler 10
George Bowdler 8


1851 census.

Thomas Bowdler
Age: 56
abt 1795

Spouse - Mary Bowdler

Born: Kimbolton, Hertfordshire. [Herefordshire].
Civil Parish: Gate Fulford
Yorkshire

Address - Church Lane.

Registration District: York
Sub-reg. Dist.. Walmgate
ED - 17b

Thomas Bowdler 56. Occ, Farner.
Mary Bowdler 53, b. Yearsley.
Edward Bowdler 21. b. Fulford.
George Bowdler 18. b.Fulford.


Steve

 

[davelambert271]

looks like he married again and started another family
1861
BOWDLER, Thomas Head Married M 66 1795 Market Gardener Leominster, Herefordshire
BOWDLER, Mary Wife Married F 35 1826 Leeds, Yorkshire
BOWDLER, William Son M 5 1856 Fulford, Yorkshire
BOWDLER, Mary Jane Daughter F 0 (6M) 1861 Fulford, Yorkshire

Piece: 3554

Folio: 92

Page: 5

Registration District: York

Civil Parish: Gate Fulford

Municipal Borough:

Address: Fulford Park, Gate Fulford

County: Yorkshire (East riding)

dave

 

[davelambert271]

ages can be very misleading, especially those given by the subject. they are often adjusted to suit the occasion. Errors are made during recording and also on transcribing them. Ages can be adjusted on marriage records to make it appear the two parties are of a similar age and death ages can be given by someone who does not really know anyway. So taking the dates you have, I would say his birth was about 1795
but-- if this is his death record and he WAS 78 it makes it 1786

March qtr 1863
BOWDLER Thomas York 9d 31

dave

 

[gibbo]

To me the death notice looks like age 70. See what yous think.

The York Herald (York, England), Saturday, January 31, 1863

 

[davelambert271]

Ill go along with that
If he died 1863 that makes his birth 1793

dave

 

[Deniseb60]

Yes, thank you. My relative is Thomas Bowdler. We have seen the original death notice in the Yorkshire Gazette and it does say he was 70 at time of death. We will assume he was born in 1793.

Denise