Hannah Fletcher
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GLOUCESTER Two siblings being born on the same day in different years was unlikely enough. But when Kim MacKriell had a third child delivered on the same day, she beat odds of more than 130,000 to one.
Ruby MacKriell was born last month on January 29. Her brother, Robin, was born on January 29, 1994, and her sister, Rebecca, on January 29, 1996.
According to statisticians at the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics, the chances of this happening are 7.5 in 1 million.
Ruby’s parents, Kim and Martin, from Gloucester, are both profoundly deaf. Speaking on their behalf yesterday, Robin, 14, and Rebecca, 12, told The Times of the family’s delight and amazement at the new arrival.
“It was just an accident that Ruby was born on the same day,” said Rebecca, “but I’m really happy about it. Our parents were quite pleased but also quite shocked at the same time.”
Ruby was due to be born on February 7, until doctors told Mrs MacKriell, 41, that she would need to have a Caesarean section. The only date that the hospital had free for the operation was January 29.
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Cute story. My daughter and my sister's daughter were also born on the same day, in 1990. My mum didn't know which granddaughter to visit first as we didn't live in the same area at all. Also, without knowing it we had both chosen the same first name if we had a girl, so we had to have a quick confab to work out who was going to be able to use it (I won!).
Jen, Herts., UK
To Martin,
It was not my intention to upset you, and if I have then I apologise. As I say, this is a feel good story, and I congratulate you on bringing three children up in a loving family home.
John Tee-Rhodes, Manchester,
'also we didn't expect to have 3rd child as we didn't want more children!!!'
I'm sure you didn't mean it in a negative way, but I really hope Ruby never has to read that.
James, Gloucester,
In my family of seven, my brother & sister shared a birthday as did my other brother & my mother!
Phil, Coventry, UK
Surely the odds of being born on any particular day in the year are 364 to 1?
Stuart, WINCHESTER, UK
Joanne, re-read the article. These kids were born on 29th of JANUARY!
Stven Fotzer, London,
I'm a March 1st baby, I know how rare a 29th Feb baby is, and I thinks it's wonderful, (1 in 1460).
Congratulations and good luck for you and all your family. I was really heartened to hear your story.
It is hard for some people to have children and as long as the child is loved and wanted, they will be special whenever they are born, but it is lovely to have such a amazing link to one another.
JoAnne Murray, Merstham, Surrey
in response to John Tee-Rhodes comment. We didn't plan to have any of our 3 babies for January!!! i don't like what you said. Grow up!!!! its is 100 per cent concidence! also we didn't expect to have 3rd child as we didn't want more children!!! thank you.
Martin Mackriell, Gloucester,
Three of my 5 were born within days of each other: Jan 26/27/31, this following my father born on the 29th. Won't be having any more so won't fill in the 28/30. Very strange!
Nick, Hastings, East Sussex
Oh good Lord. I know this is a feel-good type story, but seriously. The odds are NOT 130,000 to one.
This would assume that you have an equal (and random) chance of being born on any day in a year. But that isn't true - you will be born roughly nine months from the date of conception. And you can (by and large) choose the date of conception - or at least narrow it down!
If they tried for a baby around April time each year, then they're going to cut their odds to about 1,000 to one (say).
It's a nice article, but please stop doing maths wrong.
Oh, and in response to Colin Hughson, the odds are basically the same (given that conception isn't a certainty from each mating, and the variation in gestation times).
John Tee-Rhodes, Manchester,
my sister and i were born on the same day but 8years apart! when i was little i always thought that this made use twins....now i no different. :-)
also my nan and cousin share the same birthday the day before my sisters and mine.
Michelle, Towcester,
My Uncle was born on 20th Sept, 1971 and his wife was born on 20th Sept 1974 and their daughter was born on 20th September 1999. They share the same birthday, also if i was born on 20th instead of 19th Sept i would have shared the same birthday.
Aparna Poojari, Cardiff, UK
To Colin Hughson-the answer is the same as if Good Friday were a non-moveable Feast!
Colin Smyth, Dublin,
My brother-in-law was born on his mother's birthday. Two years later, his mother gave birth to twins-again on her birthday. None of the births were induced or by C-section.
Grace, Belfast,
My wife, my son and my mother-in-law were all born on Good Friday. Three generations on a movable feast, I wonder what the odds are for that?
Colin Hughson, Basel, Switzerland
My brother and I were born on the same day ONE year apart !
PA, London,
It will certainly help me to remember their birthdays!
Their 73 year old Granddad
John Edward Mackriell, Dursley, Glos