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== | ==Ways for Calculating Dates== | ||
There are | There are different ways to calculate a date from an age at death:<br> | ||
*Calendar month method | *Calendar month method | ||
:*In addition the calendar month method can be done two ways: | |||
::*Subtract days first, then months and years | |||
::*Subtract years first, then months and days | |||
*30 day month method (also known as 8870 method) | *30 day month method (also known as 8870 method) | ||
This can be explained with this example: | This can be explained with this example: | ||
*Death date: | *Death date: 1 Apr 1870 | ||
*Age at death: | *Age at death: 0 years 1 month, 4 days | ||
* | *Three answers can be given: | ||
:*Calendar month method: 28 | :*Calendar month method: | ||
:*30 day month method: | ::*Subtract days first, then months and years: 28 Feb 1870 | ||
::*Subtract years first, then months and days: 25 Feb 1870 | |||
:*30 day month method: 27 Feb 1870 (matches 8870 method) | |||
===Which Method Should be Used? === | ===Which Method Should be Used? === | ||
Although, the calendar month method may take into account the correct number days of the month, it is a common belief that the 30-day-month method or the '''8870''' hand method used for years before calculators is the method most often used. <ref> searchforancestors.com ''Tombstone Birthday Calculator'', http://www.searchforancestors.com/utility/birthday.html, accessed 25 June 2021. Quote: "While you may think the calendar month method may be more reliable, be aware that many of the headstone and obituary ages at death appear to have been computed using the 30-day-month method. (The 30-day-month method assumes that all months have 30 days. It's an approximation which agrees with the calendar month method about 2/3 of the time.)"</ref> This 30 day month method would have been the easiest way for the individual to calculate the date for the tombstone inscription. | Although, the calendar month method may take into account the correct number days of the month, it is a common belief that the 30-day-month method or the '''8870''' hand method used for years before calculators is the method most often used. <ref> searchforancestors.com ''Tombstone Birthday Calculator'', http://www.searchforancestors.com/utility/birthday.html, accessed 25 June 2021. Quote: "While you may think the calendar month method may be more reliable, be aware that many of the headstone and obituary ages at death appear to have been computed using the 30-day-month method. (The 30-day-month method assumes that all months have 30 days. It's an approximation which agrees with the calendar month method about 2/3 of the time.)"</ref> This 30 day month method would have been the easiest way for the individual to calculate the date for the tombstone inscription. | ||
===Tips=== | ===Tips=== | ||
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