Hi Barry,
I've never used the RTCC module so this is pure speculation on my behalf.
As far as I can see the RTCC module is meant to be clocked from the TMR1 oscillator (or an internal RC oscillator). Clocking TMR1 with an external signal to T1CKI is not the same thing - I don't think. The RTCC doesn't really use TMR1 so the fact that you see TMR1 "running" doesn't mean the RTCC is.

Again, purely speculation and interpretation of the datasheet, no personal experience here.

Happy programmers day!

/Henrik.