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marriage witnesses

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Linda in the Midlands

Linda in the Midlands Report 30 May 2007 22:28

Can anyone tell me what was the legal age to be a witness please?

SueMaid

SueMaid Report 30 May 2007 23:03

I have an ancestor who was a witness to a marriage in the middle 1800's and she wouldn't have been older than 15. Not sure if there was a legal age but I would have thought the same age as being allowed to marry. Sorry, not much help. Susan

Linda in the Midlands

Linda in the Midlands Report 30 May 2007 23:05

Thanks all, I've recieved 2 marriage certs today, groom on one and bride on other were brother and sister. The same name appears as a witness on both and wanted to see if I could trace who she was.

Anne

Anne Report 30 May 2007 23:05

I think this has been mentioned before and the general opinion was that there was no age requirement. Some people have certs with teenagers as witnesses and some modern marriages have had young people. I think most people thought that so long as the child/young person understood what they were signing it was OK. I stand to be corrected though! Anne

Wendy

Wendy Report 30 May 2007 23:08

I don't believe there has ever been a legal age for this. The vicar had only to be sure the witness was old enough to be aware of what they were witnessing. My great aunt married in Oz in 1914 and one of the witnesses was a young girl aged about 14, if that! Wendy

SylviaInCanada

SylviaInCanada Report 30 May 2007 23:30

When we married in 1967, my husband's sister was my chief bridesmaid but was told by the vicar that she was too young to be one of the two 'Official' witnesses. She was 20! So it could well be a personal belief of the vicar!!! Sylvia

Researching:
My brother, photo taken in September 1991 just a couple of weeks before he died. ............................................................ To help us and to get better results, please post as much detail as you can, especially name, date(s) and place. Also say what you already know.

Avril

Avril Report 31 May 2007 02:10

HIA LINDA I MARRIED LAST AUGUST AND HAD MY GRANDDAUGHTER AS ONE OF MY WITNESSES SHE WAS 16 SHE WAS ALSO MY BRIDESMAID.

Linda in the Midlands

Linda in the Midlands Report 31 May 2007 02:15

Awwww Avril, that's lovely :)