Scotland did adopt the New Style Calendar in 1600.
Indeed for the first 47 years of the Union between England and Scotland
the two counties used different calendars and New Years Day was also
different! This also meant that leap years were different in the two
counties. Since for example Feb 29th 1712 in Scotland was
1st March 1711 in England!
This meant that someone crossing the border from Scotland to England
gained 11 days and conversely they lost these days in they went the
other way.
And, people complain about jet lag!
David
-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Fern [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 05 April 2005 23:13
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Happy New Year?
Dear List,
> Yes, the Inland Revenue are indeed. And of course, for anyone just
> starting old deeds etc., 'our' Feb. 13th would be transcribed )on the
> old system) Feb 13th 2004/5. So if a person died in Feb 1666, that is
> how one would transcribe it.. Not trying to teach all you grandmothers
> to suck eggs but I found it confusing when I started and someone else
> may.
***** I think there's another trap which may catch some people out. I'm
fairly certain that SCOTLAND went over to the new system as early as
1600, so (if your researches take you in a Scottish direction) you need
to be clear which system the person drawing up the document was working
to. (Confirmation of that fact would be appreciated.)
25th March was called "Lady Day" -- meaning (I think) the Feast of the
Annunciation. Any idea why that should have been thought suitable for
starting the New Year? And does it go "right back" into the Middle
Ages? And is it just an English peculiarity? Or was it New Year's Day
all over Europe?
Keep on grafting.
Roger Fern.
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Roger Fern, Newcastle upon Tyne.
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