Today marks the birthday of my grandmother, Arline Allen Kinsel. Or, was that yesterday? It seems there was some confusion about the child’s October birthdate on the part of the pastor or the parents when little Arline was baptized on Easter, 1901.
The baptism certificate notes that Arline Allen Kinsel was Born “Oct 3rd 1890 at Kansas City, Mo.” Someone, most likely Arline herself, used strong red ink to circle the questionable numeral and add “2nd” below. It’s odd that the original date doesn’t match the date in the Family Bible most likely written by Arline’s mother, Minnie: “Arline Allen Kinsel born Oct. 2nd, 1890.” Did the pastor make a mistake?
A third document attests to Arline’s birth on October 2nd. This information for Arline’s death certificate was supplied by her daughter who likely heard it from Arline herself.
Kansas City, Missouri does not have a birth record for Arline. The closest-to-event record appears to be the baptism certificate which was kept by Arline’s mother, by Arline, and then by Arline’s two daughters before it came to me. Anyone could have altered the date at any time.
Which date is correct? October 2nd or October 3rd? Who changed the date, and why?
Or, perhaps the better question is, Does it really matter?
