Listers, I am puzzled. Somebody educate me. I have a great grandfather, born c. 1852, great grandmother, born exactly 6 June 1850 (according to the Birkenhead News) and two great aunts, born c 1873 and 1883, who's birth records (date and place of birth) do not officially exist. That doesn't puzzle me as much as how someone could spent a 70 - 100 year lifespan and NOT have to record ones date and place of birth somewhere. Weren't there SOME documents, registrations (like school), rental papers, or other type documents where one must list their birthdates or where they were born? How was employment handled? Were there wages taxed? Did they register to vote - How? How did they obtain housing? Did they just come out of the woods and smile? I am looking for other options or venues to obtain birthdates. Any "out of the envelope" ideas? Maybe I am just too used to having to produce an identification document several times daily. I would appreciate any unique ideas or sugg! estions. Thanks! Moving Forward With Glacial Speed, John Farrall Burke, Virginia Researching: FARRALL, DAWSON, WHITEHEAD, HALL, ROBERTS, BRAITHWAITE, BEBINGTON, GREEN, FERGUSSON, WHITE