IGI query

Just been doing a search on the IGI for the birth of Elizabeth Hodge about
1752. I get a result back with the surname in angle brackets - . Can

Peter Goodey...

Was it an "I" batch?

Graeme Wall...

No, "C"

Steven Gibbs...

If you check the batch in its entirety, you will probably find that
every surname is enclosed in angled brackets. Don't ask why - I don't
know. The online IGI has undergone a metamorphosis in the last five
years, and all sorts of weird entries abound in it.

I've noticed that when an IGI question is asked, as in this thread,
people often reply with what was once the correct answer, but is no
longer. If you use the IGI, it helps to try to keep yourself up to
date; unfortunately, most people don't seem to be too bothered about
what is still (despite the LDS's efforts) a marvellous resource.

Steven Gibbs
Bedford

anyone explain what this signifies?

CWatters...

I might be wrong but I thought it meant uncertainty or implication.

Jeff...

Strange I went to check this and I can't find such an entry
for a Christening in 1752.

Graeme Wall...

caroline.bradford...

These brackets generally signify that the surname has been assumed from the
data, rather than explicitly stated. It could be argued that all baptisms
should be expressed this way, as the actual register only gives the
Christian name of the child and the surname(s) of the parent(s).

In the middle of the 18th century, baptism registers were non-standard
affairs, but usually followed the format [child's Christian name]
son/daughter of [father's Christian name and surname] and his wife [mother's
Christian name]. The format for births out of wedlock varies, so sometimes
it is not clear whether the birth was legitimate or not. Those involved in
the IGI extraction process may have used the angled brackets to indicate
uncertainty as to whether a child was entitled to the father's name.

roy...

Such a shame that the IGI can never reveal the full "glory" of the
original parish register entry in certain cases! Take, for instance,
the following.....

IGI Individual Record
SARAH SUTTON
Female
Christening: 25 Oct 1752, Barlaston, Stafford, England
Mother: MARY SUTTON
Source information: Dates
Batch No. P010381 1573-1812

Now let us consider the full entry from the Barlaston parish
registers.....

"25 Oct 1752 - Sarah illeg dau Mary Sutton of Barlaston, spinster, &
a travelling soldier (as she pretended and swore, but nobody
believed). NB the mother is an impudent, brutish and profligate
wretch, deformed in body, but much more deformed in mind."

Now, there was a vicar of true Christian charity and a turn of phrase
that the IGI could never remotely portray! An outstanding example of

Ken Gibb...

Roy,
Strange you should mention the(IGI s) shortfalls, when you so often
say "it is only an Index",
so check the original ( Parish Records).

Baiting again ??

Ken
Ken & Jill Gibb, gibb@westnet.com.au
Mordialloc,
Vic. Australia.

why you should always check the original.....

Roy Stockdill

"There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about,
and that is not being talked about."

Oscar Wilde

Graeme Wall...

Thanks very much, I couldn't find a key to the usage in the LDS site.

Sorry, I was entering the search terms I used, the entry I /found/ was for
1751 in Brenchley, Kent. To add to the fun the closest entry is actually
Elizabeth HodgeS although there is an Elizabeth Hodge born about 6 years
earlier. The estimate for the date of birth comes from Elizabeth's headstone
so either birth could be right.