Would Parish fail to register birth of daughters?

ensgrigsby · Post by **ensgrigsby** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:10 pm

According to the 1841 Census, John & Mary Fairly of Livingstone, West Lothian, had six children:
Janet, Age 15
William, Age 10
Jane, Age 9
Helen, Age 6
Robert, Age 5
John, Age 2

All but John Fairley, Age 35 were born in West Lothian. Using IGI and ScotlandsPeople I have been able to find records of all of the boys, but none of the daughters. Naturally, my ancestor is one of the daughters, Janet.

This is the first time I have encountered a situation where there was no record of the births of any of the daughters in a family (not that my experience is that great). Was this common? Anyone have any ideas why the births would not be recorded?

BTW, John Fairley and Mary Ferguson were married on 23 Nov 1823 so the children appear to be legitimate.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Susan

Post by **AndrewP** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:20 pm

Hi Susan,

The 1851 census for that family group shows most of the children and confirms that Livingston(e) was the birthplace for the wife and all of the children. It also brings in another Livingston(e)-born girl - Grace, aged 9 in 1851. The ages are in the same order but are a little skewed in age from those shown in 1841, but that often happens.

All the best,

AndrewP

ensgrigsby · Post by **ensgrigsby** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:33 pm

Thanks, Andrew.

By 1861 they had yet another daughter, also unregistered! Heck, I don't even know why this bothers me, except that it represents a loose end.

Thanks again,
Susan

ladybird · Post by **ladybird** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:25 am

Hi Susan
This is the 2nd thread in the same vein I've read tonight.
I have a similar problem..both sons nicely baptised thank you...but not the daughter

Nothing on SP or the IGI, yet she's there on the census. This is in the 1820-30's, was it the norm in those days?
Sylvia

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:42 pm

ladybird wrote:Hi Susan
This is the 2nd thread in the same vein I've read tonight.
I have a similar problem..both sons nicely baptised thank you...but not the daughter
Nothing on SP or the IGI, yet she's there on the census. This is in the 1820-30's, was it the norm in those days?
Sylvia

Not the norm as far as I'm aware........

David