Isabella Jennings' birth date has been surrounded by historical discrepancies, with conflicting accounts arising from various sources. However, official ecclesiastical records provide clarity: she was born on 26 December 1837 and baptised on 14 January 1838 in Ahmedunggur, Bombay(now Mumbai), India.[i] These dates, recorded in her baptismal entry, are considered highly reliable for establishing her birth year.
However, despite the reliability of her baptismal record,
conflicting details from marriage records and newspaper accounts complicate our
understanding of Isabella's age, necessitating a closer analysis of these
sources
Life Events and Age Records
1. Baptism
and death of mother:
Isabella's mother, Catherine Jennings (a widow), died when Isabella was just
seven years old.[ii]
Following her mother’s death, Isabella was raised and educated by her elder
sister, the principal of a girls' college in Bombay.[iii]
If the baptismal record is correct, Isabella's reported age during her
lifetime was exaggerated. For example, in 1935, she would have been 98, not 102
as newspapers claimed, and 100 in 1937.
2. Marriage:
Isabella married Andrew Munro in 1856. Her marriage record lists her age as 17,[iv]
suggesting she was born circa 1839. However, this date might have been
estimated based on information from family members following the loss of her
parents and may not reflect her actual birth year.
3.
Longevity Reports in Newspapers:
·
In 1935, newspapers claimed Isabella was 102
years old, implying a birth year of 1833.[v]
·
By 1937, newspapers reported her age as 105,
further exaggerating her longevity.[vi]
Reconciling the Discrepancies
·
Baptismal Record: The baptismal record is
the most authoritative source, providing exact dates for her birth and baptism.
According to this document, Isabella was due to turn 100 in 1937.
·
Marriage Record: The marriage record
lists her as 17 in 1856, which conflicts with the baptismal record by
suggesting a birth year of 1839. This discrepancy could reflect reliance on
family-provided information rather than formal documentation.
·
Newspaper Reports: Newspapers exaggerated
Isabella’s age, reporting she was 102 in 1935 and 105 in 1937. These
claims conflict with the baptismal record, which indicates she was 98 in 1935
and 100 in 1937.
Conclusion
Based on the most reliable evidence—her baptismal
record—Isabella Jennings' true birth date is 26 December 1837. The
discrepancies in later accounts likely stem from estimation errors and public
embellishment of her age to emphasize her longevity.
WikiTree profile for Isabella (Jennings) Munro (1837 - 1938)
Blogpost Meta Data
[i]
East India Company (Ahmednuggur, Presidency of Bombay, India), Baptism for
Isabella Jennings baptised 4 January 1838 Register of Baptisms, for the
Chaplaincy of Ahmednuggur. Bombay (British India Office births & baptisms
ecclesiastical returns. The British Libary, Great Britain. Entry 1 (accessed on
FindMyPast on 29/05/2015))
[ii]
Findmypast, Parish register transcripts from the Presidency of Bombay,
1709-1948(database with images); Burial of Catherine Jennings(relic of the late
Mr Conductor Jennings) buried 21 February 1845, Back Bay Burial ground, 4th
unnumbed entry for Burials at Bycullah, Bombay page 57 1845; citing British
India Office Ecclesiastical Returns, British India Office Deaths & Burials
N-3-19
[iii]
1935 'OLD LADY 101 ENJOYS DANCE', News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954),
23 May, p. 11. , viewed 24 Dec 2024,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128485380
[iv]
Marriages soleminized at the Presidency of Bombay, Registered at the St
Andrew's Church - extract for AndrewMunro and Isabella Jennings (Presidency of
Marriage Bombay, Marriage Year 1856)
[v]
1935 'ACTIVE AT 102.', Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954),
24 May, p. 7. , viewed 24 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61985010
[vi]
1937 'OLDEST VICTORIAN WOMAN.', The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 24 December, p. 18. , viewed 24 Dec 2024,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article41601832
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