Warning about using birth data/year information
So, I've noted so many family researchers who assume that the birth dates given in census information or on a death certificate are correct and use that to find the individuals record in Ireland. In my research I've found that rarely is the birth year correct (sometimes off by as much as 8 years), and often the month is not even correct, although that is often more correct than the year. Why this is, I don't know exactly. However, if you've been reading any of my blogs you will note that this is the case. So, this is a warning to family researchers: do not assume that the birth year or date is correct. Get far more proof before you list the parent of an individual based on birth date and year. In order to substantiate the parents of an individual, you really do need to back it up with far more.
John and Hanora (nee Scott) Maher, both baptized in 1819. John in Gortnahoe, Hanora in Johnstown, Kilkenny. They were married 8 Jan 1845 in Gortnahoe and initially lived in Urard. They had one child born in Ireland, William, baptized in Gortnahoe, 3 Jun 1849, and then emigrated to the U.S. between 1850 and 1852. Two other children, John Jr, March 28, 1852, and James, January 25, 1854, were both born and baptized in St. Louis, Missouri.
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