Thank you for this pertinent information. It has enlightened me greatly! Yvonne Hdanw@aol.com wrote: For those persons who did not have birth records [a novelty in all but a handful of states! We southerners lose out] until the 20th century, we have to use some estimates. These guidelines were given a long ago genealogical lecture, and they have generally [note that word] helped me come up with an estimated birth date when I don't have a date from a census or other source. In North Carolina and in Virginia, and probably in other southern states, a young man was eligible for the militia at age 16. That's why we seek militia lists, especially in colonial days. (I note that such lists frequently occur in the Journals of the North Carolina Genealogical Society, but probably not for every county.) A man may have married the first time [always keep in mind he/she may have had multiple marriages] at approximately age 26. By that time, he probably has acquired some land to support a wife and family. A woman could get married at any age, but generally at age 14 or older. However, always consider that she, too, may have had multiple marriages!!! I have a couple of females in my family history who had four husbands!!! (Deeds and other documents help out here.) The first baby could come at any time!!! Death could come at any time. For females, it may have been after the birth of a child--or the birth of twins. Lots of deaths were due to drowning. The horses could not always cross a flooding river or creek. Another thought to keep in mind: If a surviving child or children were in line to inherit property, particularly land, from a deceased parent or a grandparent, there probably was a guardianship--to preserve the property--not the child's health. A child in general over age 14 could choose his or her own guardian. (Watch those court records!) I am sure others on this list can add some guidelines for estimating a person's age--other than the later censuses!! The county clerks did not keep records for us genealogists. But we use their records a lot. That is why the Family History Library in Salt Lake City is filled with thousands, nay, millions of films of official records. E.W.Wallace **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to NCSURRY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.