When was Stephen Lambkin born 1843 or 1844?

Research note by Wesley Johnston - begun 4 Oct 2022 - last updated 4 Oct 2022

Overview

Stephen Lambkin's grave stone gives his birth year as 1843, but his death certificate informant Mara J. Lambkin [presumbaly his wife Mary Jane] of Avoca, Michigan, gave it as 1844. Which is correct?

Here are the links to the images of these records.

- Gravestone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36543049/lambkin

- Death certificate: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/60872/images/44471_354849-00170

Weighing the Evidence: 1843 is most correct.

The first instance of his birth year being shown as 1844 seems to be the 1900 US Census where on 6 Jun 1900 his "age at last birthday" is given as 55 and his birth month and year as Oct 1844. This would calculate as his correct age at his last birthday (Oct 1899) if it was his correct age and birth year.

However, all of his earliest records conflict with this.