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.