Quaker Old-Style Calendar

from Roger S. Boone, "Some Quaker Families"

It is necessary to make some comment about Old Style, or Julian, and New Style, or Georgian, dates. The last day of Old Style (o.s.), was Wednesday, September 2, 1752. The next day, the first day of New Style (n.s.), was Thursday September 14, 1752. Most people, when transposing from one calendar to the other, forget to remember about the 11 days that were dropped. The first month and the legal year began March 25, while the historic year began January 1. During the period from January 1 through March 24, it was common practice to use double dates, such as January 1, 1740/1, being the first day of the historic year 1741. but still the legal year of 1740. When it became customary to call January the first month, instead of March, many people became confused and could not remember whether to add or subtract two months. The 1st day of the 11th month (Nov.) 1751 became the 1st day of the 1st month (Jan.) 1752. So now, when we record records of other records, it is impossible to know the correct date without going to the original record, and even then, it is sometimes impossible to determine the correct year that was intended. Sufficiently confused?!

Please keep this in mind when entering dates that were prior to March of 1752!

Many researchers have attempted to go back to original records and clearly enter this information into their genealogy database. Since most genealogy programs do not allow for the entry of Old Style/New Style date conversions... it is necessary to enter these dates differently, often using the NOTES area.

It is suggested that dates before March of 1752 be clearly identified:
Example: Born 30 1m (os) 1688 and Died 14 3m (ns) 1753.