General Question re ages

[Carrie Meerten]

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Was it "normal", in 1840's, for a father to be in late 40's (46 approx) when one of the children were born???

I only have 2 children at present to this father, with the age being approx 39 for the other child.

Both are listed as son and daughter on census'. :confused:

[AnnB]

Absolutely nothing abnormal at all! I have come across many instances of older fathers whilst looking at census's. There are many instances where the man's first wife has died and he has a young family to raise so he gets himself another wife. Very often the second wife is a lot younger than her new husband, but there again, she may have been widowed herself, and come with a family of her own. Then, naturally, the couple have a family of their own. This can make for quite complicated households........ ;)

Best wishes
Ann

[ChristineR]

I think you will find that there are lots of older fathers, women were still having babies after 20 years of marriage in many cases. Men can father children well into their twilight years, but I think woman run out of steam by then. :) so late 40s is not abnormal at all, especially by modern day standards when the young ones are leaving it until later to start having a family.

Christine
Australia