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DOHERTY FROM GORTNALAND, KILLYBEGS, DONEGAL

DonegalKillybegs Upper (Donegal)

My great great grandfather, James Doherty and his second wife, Biddy Magill had a son named John, According to the baptism records, he was baptised on 11 Feb 1868. According to the civil birth records, he was born 10 Mar 1868. The civil record was recorded on 9 May 1868. Is it possible the parents said the wrong month? Neither one of them could read or write.

birish644@cox.net

2 replies

Betty:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I would use the baptismal date with the likelihood that John was born a few days before February 11th. Civil registration started in 1864 but many times the family could not get to the town where the registrar was located until a month or more after the birth. In order to avoid a fine for late reporting of the birth the family adjusted the date of birth when they reported the birth to the registrar. 

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Roger,

Thank you for your reply.  I didn't realize that about late fines.  

Betty

birish644@cox.net

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