Facts and Events: Ages

Ages can be recorded for many types of events and facts. It is recommended that they are entered as they appear on the relevant source document, even if that is wrong or suspect. Ages that are whole years can be entered just as the number (a “y” is appended automatically to the end to indicate this is in years).

If a more precise age was recorded, then use “m” for months “w” for weeks and “d” for days, for example “73y 2m” would indicate 73 years and 2 months.

Ages were often recorded on documents imprecisely, and so we want to reflect that in our record. It is wrong for us to assume that “infant” meant a particular age. For that reason, the follow other ages are also accepted:

full

Often used to indicate 21 or over, but can be much older.

infant

Often recorded on burials of very young children

child

Often recorded in old burial records, with no further clarification

minor

Usually implies under 21.

A less than “<” or greater than “>” character can also be used to imply that someone was recorded as less than, or greater than the given age.

If the age isn’t recognised, it will be displayed in red: