Annie's birth date

[jmenges]

http://www.casebook.org/forum/messages/4921/8693.html

Although the 1881 census lists her as 40, a poster on the above thread argues for an age of 39 due to the date the census was taken.

JM

[Rosella]

It depended on how much money you had as to whether birthdays were celebrated, if at all. There were some very elaborate children's birthday parties held in London hotels for the wealthy in the 1880's and '90's, but did poor and large working class families have, parties, cards, presents? Usually not. Some people probably knew their date of birth but the day itself would be like any other. I know Ned Kelly, the Aussie bushranger, born to a large Irish family in rural Australia, didn't know his date of birth, and he wouldn't have been alone.

[MysterySinger]

According to my information, Annie was born
Annie Eliza Smith on 1st September 1841 in Knightsbridge.

Her parents, George and Ruth, were married on 22nd February 1842.

[Azarna]

I have birthday cards dating from around that time. I don't know how cheap they were by 1888, but probably something that only the better off folks purchased.

[GUT]

Hi,

This reminds me of a question I had some time ago. Did people celebrate birthdays in the 1880s?

Sorry if this is a bit off topic.

Regards, Pierre

The answer to that question is yes.

Did EVERYONE, probably not.

[Pierre]

It seems to be generally accepted that Annie Chapman (nee Smith) was born before her parents were married, at some point between 1840-41. Given that her brother, Fountain (who cited her age at the inquest) was born roughly 20 years after Annie, by which time, according to the census she had already left home, why do we assume that his information about her birth date was reliable? She is said to have been 47-48 at her death, but she could have have been younger and looked older. I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has had any luck nailing down an actual birth record for her.

Hi,

This reminds me of a question I had some time ago. Did people celebrate birthdays in the 1880s?

Sorry if this is a bit off topic.

Regards, Pierre

[Madam Detective]

It seems to be generally accepted that Annie Chapman (nee Smith) was born before her parents were married, at some point between 1840-41. Given that her brother, Fountain (who cited her age at the inquest) was born roughly 20 years after Annie, by which time, according to the census she had already left home, why do we assume that his information about her birth date was reliable? She is said to have been 47-48 at her death, but she could have have been younger and looked older. I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has had any luck nailing down an actual birth record for her.