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Calendar Confusion The Julian calendar was longer than the solar year. This difference led to a gradual change in the seasons. By 1582 the calendar was actually 10 days behind true time. The Gregorian calendar was designed to correct the errors of the Julian calendar. To keep it corrected with the solar year, February would have an extra day in years that could be divided by 400 (such as 1600 & 2000) but not in other centuries (such as 1700, 1800 & 1900). In October 1582, the Roman Catholics started using the Gregorian calendar (designed by a brother of Pope Gregory). Thus, October 5 became October 15. Nations accepted the Gregorian calendar at various times. Great Britain (including the American colonies) changed in 1752, at which time they were 11 days off, and 3 Sept 1752 officially became 14 Sept 1752. At the time of the change, anyone born before 29 Feb 1700 became only 10 days older, but those born between 29 Feb 1700 and 2 Sept 1752 became 11 days older (the argument being that if the new style calendar had been in effect at the time of their birth, this would have been their actual birth date). The change still causes confusion. For example... George Washington was born 11 Feb 1732 old style (o.s.) but we always celebrate his birthday on February 22, new style (n.s.). Double Dating This practice was in effect between 1582 & 1752. The historical year began on 1 January - but the legal and ecclesiastical year began on 25 March. Since the old (Julian) calendar considered March as the first month of the year, you must remember that in that case the "second" month of the year would have been April (and not February). To avoid confusion, it became common practice to list both years on documents between January 1 and March 24. A date written 11 Feb 1732/3 (or 1732/33) meant it was still 1732 if time was reckoned by the Julian calendar, but 1733 if the new Gregorian calendar was being used. When Were They Born? If a tombstone says "in her 65th year" it means she had already had her 64th birthday and was in her 65th year, but had not yet reached her 65th birthday. If a tombstone says "aged 65 years, 1 month & 15 days" the person had already had a 65th birthday, plus one month and fifteen days. If a tombstone says your ancestor "died 10 Mar 1750 age 65y 1m 15d" you can figure out the birth date, by subtracting as follows: Day Month Year 10......3......1750 -15.... -1.....-65 You must "borrow" a month and change the figures. The last full month your ancestor lived was the second (February, with 28 days). Change the figures to: Day Month Year 38......2......1750 -15.....-1.....-65 23......1......1685 is the birth date. This translates to a birth date of 23 Jan 1685 (new style). However, bearing in mind the change in the calendar, some records could correctly list the birth as 13 Jan 1684 (old style) or 13 Jan 1684/85. Quaker Dating System: Quakers (The Friends) use numbers to refer to months and days of the week. Generally, the number representing the month is given first, the day second, and then the year. Thus, the following numbers all refer to November 10, 1822. 11th mo 10th 1822 10th of ye 11th 1822 11: 10: 1822 (or 11-10-1822)