How late in life was an English woman born in 1791 likely to give birth?
I have two possible dates for this grandmother's birth year; 1783 and she would have been 46 when her last child was born or
birth year of 1791 making her 38 when her last child was born. I suppose both could be possible but neither seem likely. Thank you
Best Answer
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I just took a look at a number of female ancestors who lived in that period. Generally, it does appear they usually had their last child between about 38 and 43 years old. However, there is one who was born (in Yorkshire) in 1746 and had her last child in 1792 - i.e. at 46 years old.
However, whilst the child definitely appears to be hers in this case, her first child was born 27 years previously. In some examples, one has to expect the child might have actually been that of a young daughter (say of 14 or 15) and the child baptised and brought up as if the child of the grandparents. I have first-hand knowledge of similar cases in the 20th century, so am sure true parentage was sometimes hidden back then.
Back to the early 19th century, I have seen a record of a child born to a "mother" who was over 50 years old, but suspect in that case she was actually the grandmother.
In summary, either event could quite possibly apply.
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Answers
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I looked on internet. It says women had children up to their early 40's in the 18th Century. Hope this helps.
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Update - just found another example. Woman born 1726, first child born 1749, last child in 1771 - so around 45 in this case.
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Thank you all; this was very helpful!
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