How does the Quarter system of months work in the English records?
I have a GRO Birth Index for Alice Ballard, 1883 D Quarter in Pershore, Vol 06C, Page 343.
I also have a GRO Death Index for Alice Ballard, 1883 D Quarter in Pershore, Vol 06C, Page 247.
So, apparently, Alice died within the same 3 month period. The problem arises when I found a Christening Index for Alice Ballard, in the England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. The record indicates she was Christened on Jan 1884 at Wyre Piddle, Worcestershire, England, United Kingdom (which falls within the Pershore Registration District).
Does the "D Quarter" perhaps include January? Please help me understand.
Answers
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@srobinson4088369 srobinson4088369
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Susan
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Just a though ...
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Perhaps, the ORIGINAL Christening/Baptism was a "Private" Christening/Baptism DONE at the Home of "Alice" late (eg. December) in 1883, while she was still alive; but, the "Recording" of said "Private" Christening/Baptism, was NOT done, UNTIL early (eg. January) in 1884. Such could happen.
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You would have to get PDF Copies (at £7 from the GRO of England and Wales) of, BOTH, the "Birth" and "Death" Registration(s); and, if possible, form somewhere, an copy of the "Image" of the actual Christening/Baptism record to try and 'suss out' what happened, went on.
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Just a thought ...
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Brett
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It is important to keep in mind that the quarter is the quarter the event was registered not necessarily the quarter the event occurred. For example it is not impossible for someone to be born in February but be registered in the June quarter. A person (usually parent) had 42 days to register a birth. Also it was not until 1875 that it registering a birth was compulsary.
From my experience, in the case of Alice Ballard she would not be able to be christened in January 1884 but have her death recorded in December quarter of 1883. Deaths were supposed to be registered within 8 days.
If it were my problem I would do the following:
- Check for a burial record for Alice in Wyre Piddle.
- If that doesn't help I would want to see the original records of the christening record and the actual Death Certificate. I have found that seeing the original usually clears up these kind of issues.
- Could the christening actually be a burial that was incorrectly transcribed as a baptism? A burial for a December death could be perforned in January especially if she died towards the end of the month
- It is possible that the Alice in the death index is a different Alice than the Alice in the baptism record.
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Since you are dealing with indexes all around, it is possible that there is an error somewhere by the indexer(s). You would need to see the records themselves to hopefully figure out what happened. Does the rest of the information you have check out? I.e, the maiden name of the mother in the birth registration is correct? The place where she was christened is where the family lived? Just trying to make sure you don't have a different Alice in the christening.
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To answer your question: the Quarters in the GRO Index for England and Wales are named by the last month of the Quarter: so January, February & March is the March Quarter (designated M); April, May & June is the June Quarter (designated J); July, August & September is the September Quarter (designated S); October, November & December is the December Quarter (designated D).
Researching your information further reveals that the Alice Ballard born December Quarter 1883 has a mother's maiden surname of TINSON (this can be found from the GRO website that allows you to determine the mother's maiden surname up to 1916/17).
There is a marriage of William BALLARD and Harriett Ann TINSON registered in Pershore in the March Quarter of 1883. I would consider that the case is strong for this couple to be the parents of Alice Ballard born in December Quarter 1883.
The christening record shows that the christening took place "Jan 1884" and the parents were William Ballard (father) & Harriett Ann (mother). The forenames of the mother and father match those of the marriage given above. The odd thing about this christening is the lack of a day in the date.
There are four other children for the Ballard/Tinson marriage: William Ernest (1885; christened 21 June 1885; died 1887); Frederick James (1886); James (1888) & Susannah Elizabeth (1890).
The first Census record for the Ballard/Tinson family is the 1891 Census. This shows: William Ballard (Head), Harriett A (Wife), Frederick J (son), James (son) & Susanah E (daughter) - all living in Wyre Piddle, Pershore. Neither Alice nor William Ernest is shown in this record.
It is my opinion, based on the above, that Alice Ballard died in the December Quarter 1883. It is suggested that the lack of Alice's name in the 1891 Census record is a key factor. The christening information is incomplete and is probably due to the Vicar/Officiating Minister recording the information by memory after the Christmas period of 1883.
However, to provide a record worthy of all acceptation I would obtain a copy of the statutory death certificate for Alice Ballard and check that all pieces fall into place.
Hope the above is of help.
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