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Full Age

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Phyll

Phyll Report 22 Jun 2012 20:32

I'm sure this must have been asked many times but what was considered to be 'full age' about 1838. I think I have found a correct mariage for my research but he was 18 and she 15 although certificate shows 'full age' for both.
Has anyone got the answer please.
Many thanks
Phyll

Researching:
Newman, Pavey, Sinden from Sussex. Latham from Bucks & Herts

brummiejan

brummiejan Report 22 Jun 2012 20:33

I think it has always been 21 and above?
Jan

Researching:
Myatt, Hanks, Eccleston, Powell, Clungunford, Birmingham

Phyll

Phyll Report 22 Jun 2012 20:36

Thanks Jan, I did wonder if there had been a change over the years.

Researching:
Newman, Pavey, Sinden from Sussex. Latham from Bucks & Herts

brummiejan

brummiejan Report 22 Jun 2012 20:39

This looks quite a useful little site for info re. certs:

http://www.dixons.clara.co.uk/Certificates/marriages.htm#COL3

Researching:
Myatt, Hanks, Eccleston, Powell, Clungunford, Birmingham

Phyll

Phyll Report 22 Jun 2012 20:44

Thanks again Jan
That was a big help

Researching:
Newman, Pavey, Sinden from Sussex. Latham from Bucks & Herts

Kense

Kense Report 22 Jun 2012 20:48

It was not uncommon for couples to lie about being of full age especially if the parents were against the marriage. Some churches were not too fussy about checking.

Do the witnesses on the certificate seem to be related to the couple?

Porkie_Pie

Porkie_Pie Report 22 Jun 2012 20:53

I think you have to be careful with the "full age" on early marriage certs because it can be misleading

Full age was also used in part to show that parental consent was not required for the marriage, but if a person married young and was widowed then consent was not required for a second marriage even when that person was still under the age of consent,

you may need further research to confirm you have the correct details

Roy

Phyll

Phyll Report 22 Jun 2012 21:21

Thanks KenSE & Roy.

It looks like her father was a witness or maybe her brother if fathers couldn't witness the marriage. I can't make out the second witness surname but it is not either of the family names involved.

Researching:
Newman, Pavey, Sinden from Sussex. Latham from Bucks & Herts