I have often seen in the "informant" column on a birth certificate the use of the word "present" but have never thought of what it means.
Now I have come across one in 1879 where it states in the informant column - "James Barclay father not present"
Strangely enough when I look at the other two entries on the same page, one is "present" and the last is neither! Seems it's time I knew what it all means.
Can anyone help?
Andrew
Present/Not present
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emanday
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It means that the informant was present (or not) at the address/location where the birth or death took place.
[b]Mary[/b]
A cat leaves pawprints on your heart
McDonald or MacDonald (some couldn't make up their mind!), Bonner, Crichton, McKillop, Campbell, Cameron, Gitrig (+other spellings), Clark, Sloan, Stewart, McCutcheon, Ireland (the surname)
A cat leaves pawprints on your heart
McDonald or MacDonald (some couldn't make up their mind!), Bonner, Crichton, McKillop, Campbell, Cameron, Gitrig (+other spellings), Clark, Sloan, Stewart, McCutcheon, Ireland (the surname)
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searcher 52
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Present/not present
"It means that the informant was present (or not) at the address/location where the birth or death took place."
Does that touch on residence at the time of birth? or merely present at the event - albeit downstairs when the action was taking place!
Sorry to seem pedantic.
Andrew
Does that touch on residence at the time of birth? or merely present at the event - albeit downstairs when the action was taking place!
Sorry to seem pedantic.
Andrew
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emanday
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I don't think you are being pedantic at all.
In the case of births in the past, it would likely have been unusual for a husband to be in the actual room, them being regarded as surplus to requirements at that point
However, if shown as "present" he would have been on the premises. I have two births where the grandmother was the informant and her "present" probably meant she was in the actual room, maybe even assisting with the delivery.
In the case of births in the past, it would likely have been unusual for a husband to be in the actual room, them being regarded as surplus to requirements at that point
However, if shown as "present" he would have been on the premises. I have two births where the grandmother was the informant and her "present" probably meant she was in the actual room, maybe even assisting with the delivery.
[b]Mary[/b]
A cat leaves pawprints on your heart
McDonald or MacDonald (some couldn't make up their mind!), Bonner, Crichton, McKillop, Campbell, Cameron, Gitrig (+other spellings), Clark, Sloan, Stewart, McCutcheon, Ireland (the surname)
A cat leaves pawprints on your heart
McDonald or MacDonald (some couldn't make up their mind!), Bonner, Crichton, McKillop, Campbell, Cameron, Gitrig (+other spellings), Clark, Sloan, Stewart, McCutcheon, Ireland (the surname)
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LesleyB
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Hi Andrew
I've certainly had examples of folk who were present at a death, for example, who I know did not live at the address where the death took place.
I think often if a parent was poorly and maybe not expected to pull through, the sons and/or daughters would be in attendance, sometimes travelling from quite some distance in order to be there.
Best wishes
Lesley
I've certainly had examples of folk who were present at a death, for example, who I know did not live at the address where the death took place.
I think often if a parent was poorly and maybe not expected to pull through, the sons and/or daughters would be in attendance, sometimes travelling from quite some distance in order to be there.
Best wishes
Lesley
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DavidWW
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My "bible" - "Bisset-Smith"'s early 1900 guide for registrars, - is currently "hidden" in one of around 50 boxes yet to be unpacked.
My memory, but subject to confirmation
when Bissett-Smith turns up, is that it was originally intended that the meaning of "present" should be present at the actual event, i.e. a witness in effect; but the meaning soon became effectively "in the household at the time of the event".
On very early statutory birth registrations, in the name column you will also find "present" or "not present", - used to mean presence or otherwise at the act of registration.
David
My memory, but subject to confirmation
when Bissett-Smith turns up, is that it was originally intended that the meaning of "present" should be present at the actual event, i.e. a witness in effect; but the meaning soon became effectively "in the household at the time of the event".On very early statutory birth registrations, in the name column you will also find "present" or "not present", - used to mean presence or otherwise at the act of registration.
David