def date_and_notes(s):
    """Parse (birth|death) date and notes; returns a tuple in the
    form (date, notes)."""
    s = s.strip()
    if not s: return (u'', u'')
    notes = u''
    if s[0].isdigit() or s.split()[0].lower() in ('c.', 'january', 'february',
                                                'march', 'april', 'may', 'june',
                                                'july', 'august', 'september',
                                                'october', 'november',
                                                'december', 'ca.', 'circa',
                                                '????,'):
        i = s.find(',')
        if i != -1:
            notes = s[i+1:].strip()
            s = s[:i]
    else:
        notes = s
        s = u''
    if s == '????': s = u''
    return s, notes