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Question about discrepancy in birth year in records, surname Lyons

Hi all,

So here's the story....

My great-grandfather Luke Lyons was born in Ireland and eventually emigrated to Liverpool, where he married and raised his family, including my grandmother. From my research of records in Liverpool, it appears he was born on May 29, 1877, the best record being the 1939 election register in England. I always knew he was born in Ireland, but did not know specifics.I can find a record of what I believe is my great-grandfather in the 1911 England census (still single at this time, same name, same Liverpool neighborhood within several blocks of where he raised his family in, similar occupation - railways - so I am assuming it is him). He's listed here as single and born in Athlone, County Roscommon, also in 1877.

Here is the mystery: I find a Luke Lyons born in Athlone, County Roscommon, but from the Irish civil record his birthdate is listed as May 29, 1875. Is it likely this is the same Luke Lyons? Church records have him born around May 18, also 1875. The census and electoral register was self-reported, so my great-grandfather was claiming his birth year was 1877, but I can't find a similar birth record in Roscommon for that year.... but I do find one for the exact birthdate in 1875! Just wondering if the data was wrong somehow or my great-grandfather was making himself a few years younger for some reason.

Anyone come across anything similar? Any ideas?

Cheers!
Pat

patrickjlee01@…

4 replies

Pat:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

It was fairly common for an emigrant to adjust his or her age younger or older to fit their circumstances and then keep the revised year of birth for the rest of their life. You don't mention but I assume his parents names on the 1875 civil record match up with the info you had on his parents.

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks Roger. I don't know for sure, but I believe his father was Edward, which matches the birth record. Don't know about his mother. 
I can't find another Luke Lyons from County Roscommon born around this time period that would fit. 

Do you know roughly what percentage of births around this time period would have either a civil or church record? Is it most if not all?

Thanks again!
Pat

patrickjlee01@…

A little more digging and research tonight and I think I figured it out!

So I was able to locate the death record for Luke Lyons. It's listed in the Civil Registration Death Index as Apr-May-June 1942, with an age of 66. The Index of Wills & Probates lists a death of 13 May 1942, with the address I know is correct for my great-grandfather. If he died 13 May 1942 at age 66, a birthdate of 29 May 1875 would be correct, not 1877. 

Seems like a simple solution, but I'm new at this genealogy stuff. Good lesson in cross-referencing, and also that records might present conflicting information.

-Pat

patrickjlee01@…

Pat:

Good to hear you worked it out. I would believe that almost every birth had either a baptismal record and/or a civil birth record. A few churches do not have existing records back to 1875 so in that case only a civil record would exist. FYI civil registration of births started in 1864 and thru 1919 are available online.

Roger

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

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