General Chat

Hi there. Has anyone discovered any cases of cousins marrying cousins, in particular first cousins? I just discovered some tonight on my Scottish side of the family. I know that it wasn't that uncommon but wondering who else has discovered this. I take it that GR still haven't fixed that problem that prevents you from showing such a relationship on your tree?!?

Yes, don't think even GR could have stopped 'em! Someone in my father's generation married a first cousin. Joy

I was under the impression that you still could? Wouldn't fancy risking it myself though LOL.

Dorothy, I was just referring to the fact that it isn't or wasn't possible to illustrate this kind of relationship on the GR family trees. Another one it gets confused with is when two siblings from one family each marry a sibling from another family.

I have several cases of cousins marrying - makes the tree difficult to draw but not illegal. There were a long list of prohibited relationships but cousins have not been on the list since Henry VIII wanted to marry his cousin so changed the law to allow it. The current list is: A man may not marry his: Mother (also step-mother, former step-mother, mother-in-law, former mother-in-law, adoptive mother or former adoptive mother) Daughter (also step-daughter, former step-daughter, daughter-in-law, former daughter-in-law, adoptive daughter or former adoptive daughter) Sister (also half-sister) Father's mother (grandmother) Mother's mother (grandmother) Father's father's former wife (step-grandmother) Mother's father's former wife (step-grandmother) Son's daughter (granddaughter) Daughter's daughter (granddaughter) Wife's son's daughter (step-granddaughter) Wife's daughter's daughter (step-granddaughter) Son's son's wife (grandson's wife) Daughter's son's wife (grandson's wife) Father's sister (aunt) Mother's sister (aunt) Brother's daughter (niece) Sister's daughter (niece) A woman may not marry her: Father (also step-father, former step-father, father-in-law, former father-in-law, adoptive father or former adoptive father) Son (also step-son, former step-son, son-in-law, former son-in-law, adoptive son or former adoptive son) Brother (also half-brother or step-brother) Father's father (grandfather) Mother's father (grandfather) Mother's mother's former husband (step-grandfather) Father's mother's former husband (step-grandfather) Son's son (grandson) Daughter's son (grandson) Husband's daughter's son (step grandson) Husband's son's son (step grandson) Son's daughter's husband (granddaughter's husband) Daughter's daughter's husband (granddaughter's husband) Father's brother (uncle) Mother's brother (uncle) Brother's son (nephew) Sister's son (nephew)

Oh yes they can! http://www.webwedding(.)co.uk/articles/ceremonies/whocanmarry.htm Dee x

Ah well, in that case, Andy, glad I only have me on the 'GR tree'! That can't confuse anyone?! Joy

Yes in this country ( although quite a few states in USA have forbidden it ) it is legal. Have copied this Marriage of first cousins is allowed but because of the close blood tie, it is advisable to consult a family doctor for advice on inherited factors that may cause problems for any children born to such a close union Christine

Andy good to see you back had been wondering where you were? I have first cousins that married in the 60's. Linda x

Hi Andy My husbands grandparents married in 1918 and were first cousins and as you can see by all the above members your family isn't alone. Much happiness Debi

My nan and grandad were first cousins which helps alot with my family tree as theres not so many branches to search for :-)

Andy, My brother married our first cousin back in the eighties. My father's younger brother's daughter. They have two beautiful daughters. Lindy;-)

yes My Mothers eldest Brother married his Mothers youngest Sisters Daughter ,but they never had any children. AT that time they thought children between cousins would be disabled in some way. Jean.

I have a friend and her sister married a first cousin and they had 2 kids together plus he had 2 kids from his first wife me personally couldnt marry a cousin cos we were brought up so close like sister and brother and it would seem weird to me but if people are happy to do that then i say go for it

my cousin by marriage (ie step cousin) married her first cousin on her mothers side about 7 yrs ago

I've come across one instance so far in my research when i soon realised that the said couples grandparents where the same! On closer inspection , their marriage certificated did actually record this fact.

Sorry, i maen that on the marriage certificate, it mentions that they are cousins. This marriage also took place in Scotland!

My Grandmother married her first cousin, only problem being, that as they got into old age they looked so alike. WEIRD! Joanne.

Didn't know until I started doing my family tree that my grandparents were first cousins. Did cause some confusion at first. GC (GR) keep telling us that they will soon find a way of letting us enter them properly in our trees, but as far as I know they haven't done yet. Maggy

In my husbands family the son of Charles Gibson - Braithwaite - married the daughter of Elizabeth Gibson. - Betsy (first cousins) they had four sons, two of whom were Charles and John. Charles' son then married John's daughter. Work that relationship out !!!!