The year 1752 is one to remember if you have ancestors who lived in areas controlled by Great Britain; and this includes the American colonies. In that year, two big changes occurred in the calendar that will affect the birth, marriage and death dates of your ancestors.
The first change involved converting from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The older Julian calendar, established by Julius Caesar, had been effect since 46 B.C. It was based on the positions of the sun and stipulated that a year was 3651⁄4 days long. To account for this extra fraction, every fourth year was given an extra day and was called leap year. However, the ancient calculations were off by about 11.25 minutes per year. This went unnoticed for some time, but by 1582 the calendar had gotten out of sync with the sun’s position by about 10 days. In effect, the vernal equinox (day of equal light and equal dark that denotes the first day of spring) was occurring on March 10 instead of March 21. If left uncorrected, the Julian calendar would gain an extra day every 128 years.
Because this error was affecting the placement of Easter, Pope Gregory XIII ordered in 1582 that a correction to be made. The day following Oct. 4 would be called Oct. 15, thus dropping the 10 extra days. To keep this error from occurring again, only one out of four years ending in “00,” (which were previously all leap years), would now be leap years.
This new calendar system was called the Gregorian calendar, and was adopted right away by predominantly Catholic countries. However, many of the Protestant areas did not want anything to do with a decree from a Catholic pope. Thus, it took another 200-300 years to be adopted worldwide.
It was adopted in 1752 by England and the American colonies. At that time, the day following Sept. 2 was moved up to Sept. 14, dropping 11 days from the calendar.
To illustrate how this affects dates, let’s look at our first president’s birthday. George Washington was born on Feb. 11 according to the Julian calendar in use at the time of his birth, but when that date was converted to the Gregorian calendar, his birthday became Feb. 22.
The second change that occurred in 1752 involved changing what we would call New Year’s Day. In areas controlled by Great Britain, the new year began on March 25, which was supposed to be the vernal equinox and the first day of spring.
This means that March 24 would be the last day of one year and March 25 would begin the next year. To illustrate, the day following March 24, 1736, was March 25, 1737. In 1752, however, Britain adopted Jan. 1 as the beginning of each new year.
Areas of strong Catholic influence (such as Maryland), Dutch influence (as in New York) and Scottish influence (all of Scotland) began using Jan. 1 as the beginning of a new year long before England did; therefore in the colonies there began a practice of using a “double dating” system on dates between Jan. 1 and March 25 prior to 1752.
Let’s look at George Washington’s birth again. He was born in February 1831/2, before Jan. 1 was universally adopted as New Year’s Day. In areas where Jan. 1 was the first of the year, it was already 1832, but in areas where March 25 was the beginning of the new year, it was still 1831. Therefore the date is written with a slash to include both years. The thing to remember is that the second date is the correct one by our present calendar. Also remember that only dates between Jan. 1 and March 24 used this double system because after March 24 the year was the same for both calendars.
So when was George Washington born? In his day, it was Feb. 11, 1831. But according to our (corrected) calendar his birth was on Feb. 22, 1832.
History
GENEALOGY: 1752 is one memorable year for genealogists
- History
-
-
BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSON: Emperor Constantine changes the world
The Emperor Constantine, the first Christian ruler of the Roman Empire and the man who ended that empire’s persecution of Christianity, died this week (May 22) in 337 AD, having lived a life that would change the world.
-
GENEALOGY: Library archives contain tons of information
Inside the archives room of the Vigo County Public Library, row after row of fragile documents, rare out-of-print books, and historic photographs are kept on shelves in a humidity and temperature-controlled room.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Historic efforts to open Center Street from Cherry to Swan
Efforts to open Center Street, from Cherry to Swan, spanned a half century or more.
-
LOOKING BACK: 2002 — Valley drenched in wettest spring in 107 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star. -
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Some history wreathed in hair
From the unfortunate occurrence of Prince Albert’s death in 1861 came the social mores of proper mourning practices and accoutrements witnessed and endorsed by the admirers of Queen Victoria in her reign-long state of grieving.
-
LOOKING BACK: 1987: League of Women Voters reorganizes
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Here comes the bride
The newest major exhibit at the Historical Museum, which opens Tuesday, showcases wedding gowns worn by Vigo County residents.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Downtown changes featured in early 1927
During March and April of 1927 – about 85 years ago – the owners of interests in four major downtown Terre Haute theaters were negotiating to transfer their interests to representatives of Paramount Studios.
-
GENEALOGY: Genealogy isn’t for the easily embarrassed
The saying goes, if you’re easily embarrassed or afraid of what you’ll find, don’t start doing genealogy.
-
BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The long, lost, last — the 27th —Amendment
Our very last constitutional amendment — the 27th Amendment — was ratified this week (May 7) in 1992 when Michigan became the 38th state to approve it.
-
BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The Haymarket Square Massacre
One unhappy byproduct of the Industrial Age was the growing discontent of its industrial workers, who constantly agitated for better pay and more humane working conditions.
-
LOOKING BACK: 1962: Stands packed as Wiley takes county track title
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and the Tribune-Star.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Death of Terre Haute jeweler gains national headlines
Terre Haute sought national publicity in 1910 through “Boosterism,” lauding the city’s significant advancements during the decade ending Dec. 31, 1909.
-
GENEALOGY: Cemetery Committee to conduct restoration workshop
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society’s Cemetery Committee will conduct an all-day cemetery restoration workshop on Saturday at the Smith Cemetery near Youngstown, Honey Creek Township, Vigo County, Ind.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Harmonious history
In 1923, a group of singers calling themselves the Harmony Four entertained regularly over the radio and at civic and various club events.
-
BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: Cleveland observes Lincoln’s funeral
The death of America’s greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, resulted in an outpouring of national mourning, the apex of which came in late April of 1865 when a specially outfitted train carried his body on a thirteen-day, 1,700-mile, eleven-city funeral procession from Washington, D.C., to his home and final resting place in Springfield, Ill.
-
GENEALOGY: Many people can trace ancestry to Titanic
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, which occurred on April 14-15, 1912.
-
LOOKING BACK: 1987: ISU bowling team at nationals again
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Sullivan County mine explosion kills 8 in 1878
Shortly after 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, 1878, an enormous explosion rocked the Handford Brothers mine about one-half mile north of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad depot in Sullivan County.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: A common feature, but memorable
As an absolute architecture nerd, I tend to look at buildings noticing the odd ball things such as door hinges and door locks in addition to admiring the overall building.
-
BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSONS: MLK’s letter written from a jail cell in Birmingham
This week (April 16) in 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. sat in a jail cell in Birmingham, Ala., having been arrested for violating a trumped-up court order that prohibited him and his followers from conducting various protest activities, most of which you can read about in the First Amendment.
-
LOOKING BACK: 1962: Swope celebrates 20th anniversary
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: 1955 Babe Ruth League championship team to be feted
Currently in his 25th year as a college baseball coach, Rick Heller is in the midst of his third winning season at Indiana State and has embraced the university and the community.
-
GENEALOGY: Long-awaited 1940 census is now available for the public
The long-awaited release of the 1940 census took place on April 2.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Memories baked from scratch
On my Historical Treasure hunt, I was drawn to a pasteboard barrel 28 inches high and 18.5 inches across with the words “Calumet Baking Powder Bakes Best, Received Highest Award” on one side and “Calumet Baking Powder Always Pleases, Try It” on the other.
-
BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSON: Thomas Jefferson's flights of fancy
Thomas Jefferson, born this week (April 13) in 1743, is — deservedly so — in the pantheon of American heroes.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: J.K. Emmet’s first appearance at the Terre Haute Opera House
The first season of the magnificent Terre Haute Opera House, which featured many of the world’s premier celebrities, was a resounding success.
-
GENEALOGY: Black Death had a monumental effect on world
One event in the past had a monumental effect on our ancestors, indeed determining who they would be. This was the advent and spread of bubonic plague, the Black Death. The plague originated in China in 1333. It was caused by a bacterium in fleas, which were carried by rats. The plague spread out of China via trading routes with the West (the Silk Road) and especially on ships, which carried flea-infested rats and provided a closed environment for people to infect each other.
-
LOOKING BACK: 1987: 'Banana king' opens Farmer's Market
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Hunting for sugary Easter treats
Among the many varieties of the Easter egg, none is more charming than the panoramic Sugar Egg. Three were recently given to the Vigo County Historical Museum by Judy Lowe and are shown in an Easter-themed display case in the entry hall.
- More History Headlines
-
BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSON: Emperor Constantine changes the world
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Police: Gunman Has Hostages in Realty Office
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Dragon Arrives at Space Station in Historic 1st
Beer Here!: An Historic Exhibit
Raw Video: SpaceX Capsule's Docking Delayed
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
Passenger Restrained on Flight to Miami Arrested
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Sudden Storm Topples Wisconsin Trees
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Raw Video: Wildfire Burns 110 Square Miles
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
Alison Brie Likes To Jog Naked
Heidi Klum Goes Sheer
Alton's Best Burger Ever
Ellie Kemper's Stripper Surprise on 'Ellen'
Maddie the Balancing Dog On Cross-Country Trip
Crawford's Sexy Leather Look
Boys eyes 'removed with spoon'
"Twilight" Stars Caught Kissing
Etan Patz Case: Suspect Arrested
Britney's Hot Pink Mini-Dress
Wrongfully accused rapist exonerated after 5 years in jail
Actress to Play Casey Anthony
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
Prince William on The Queen: 'Woman in Man's World'
