Two men with the same first and last name born in Tennessee on the same day

And their names were?

And your question is ? And why is this posted under MATH?

It is posted under math because I am looking for the statistical probablity that this could occur. I though perhaps someone more well-versed in math than I am would be able to figure this out. I apologize, I should have made that more clear. The question is what is the probablity that two men with the same first and last names would be born on the same day in the same month and year in the same state? It really is more of a general probablity question, but if you need the names, they are Henry McLaughlin and the state is Tennessee.

For future reference... then you should actually say that because,


Really is nothing but a statement.

Nobody can read minds here and we take things exactly as they are presented. We can't guess at what you were trying to say, or even if a large part of information was left off.

With that said... give it some time and someone versed on statistics should come around with an answer. If one actually is possible given only that information.

You are absolutely correct. And now that you have helped clarify the question, perhaps someone will be able to provide an answer that is helpful.

You would think it too be something like a googillion to one odds. But with George Formans sons all named, George. They could all try too get their Wife's Pregnant at the same Time, and Inducing Labor could have 5 that fit your discription?

Okay, I apologize for wasting anyone's time. I am a family historian. The closest I come to probability theory or any type of higher mathmatics is watching Numb3rs re-runs. I have two men that I am looking at in a case study. Both are named Henry McLaughlin. Both are approximately the same age (but in genealogy that can vary depending on the records), giving them the same year of birth. Both appear to be born in Tennessee. Proving one of them to be the correct Henry (or that they are the same man) will provide the names needed to take the line back another generation. George Formen and the Rev. whatever-his-name is that lived in Louisiana and named all of his children (daughters included) with his name including the Rev part don't play into it. I think that they are the same person, but there is still a bit of doubt. I was simply wondering what the probablity of two men being born in the same year in the same place and with the same name was, as this could provide a little more circumstantial evidence that they were one and the same. In fact, I actually think that the probablity is pretty high, I just thought it would be interesting to include an actual probabilty statistic in the case report.

Thank you for taking the time to comment on the original question.

Not real good at math but might have a stupid guess like"Impossible". But will not say it is impossible?

Give it more than a few hours... lots of people might be as school or work that could offer an answer.. or give you a reason why there might not be one if there isn't. It might take a day or two until the right people see the post to get an answer.