General Chat

Hi, I wonder if anyone knows the answer to this. If someone got married in 1859 without their parents permission by lying about their age, would the marriage be legal? I have a marriage certificate of someone I know to be only 19 at the time, but it says 'full age'. What could the parents have done when they found out? Penny

It is my understandiung that marriage was legal, but the couple risked prosecution for making a false declaration about their age.

Penelope >>What could the parents have done when they found out<<< Shouted a lot but not much else lol. If they married in Church then the Church Authorities would be reluctant to intervene, particularly if there had been time for the marriage to be consummated - the Church is more concerned with morals than with the letter of the law. Ditto the registrar really, although he would have had powers to fine the couple for telling fibs. (I can't say I have ever seen an instance of this recorded anywhere, either officially or in the newspapers - anyone else?) If you are talking about a couple from mega rich families, then there were certain things they COULD do, such as having the girl declared insane, or putting any money she might inherit into a Trust - depends how furious they were and whether the groom was seen as an adventurer. Giving false information when getting married does not per se invalidate the marriage. OC

Thanks for the replies Peter and OC. Looks like the marriage was probably valid. Penny

I found this on the Googling 'underage marriage' http://www.royalgenes.biz/soc.genealogy.britain/thread336.html Unfortunately I couldn't find the outome.....!