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WITNESS AGE FOR SIGNING MARRIAGE CERT

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Angela

Angela Report 30 Oct 2006 20:32

can anyone tell me the legal age for signing a marriage cert in 1856 men or women angie p.s have put this on both boards due to not know which one to post it on

Mike. The Leicester Lad.(GC)

Mike. The Leicester Lad.(GC) Report 30 Oct 2006 20:44

Greeting's Angela...... My Local registrar's answer they gave is as follows. . . Present. . . You can have up to Four witnesses Providing there is at lest two over the age of 16 then Yes a minor can sign but only with the registrar’s blessing. Back in 1822. . . . . Same as above but the legal age was 21 years. . . . They also said that they would think all the above Were the same requirements for a Church wedding. Hope this helps you….. MIKE.

Angela

Angela Report 30 Oct 2006 20:46

thanks alot that has helped me angie

Mike. The Leicester Lad.(GC)

Mike. The Leicester Lad.(GC) Report 30 Oct 2006 20:48

' Your very Welcome '

BobClayton

BobClayton Report 30 Oct 2006 21:20

Don't think that's true, as I understand it there is no age requirement , they only have to have been aware of what they were signing. In1856 they could marry at 14 for men and 12 for women so why would it be 16 for witnesses? Bob

Researching:
Clayton

An Olde Crone

An Olde Crone Report 30 Oct 2006 21:34

Agree with Robert. I have a marriage which took place in 1797 - there are 11 witnesses, one of whom is about 8 years old. A witness merely has to be old enough to know what it is they have witnessed, and what they have signed. This dates back to time immemorial, pre parish registers, when a marriage might be called into question and witnesses required to say that the event did indeed take place. Two may be the minimum, but for Church Weddings in my family, the upper limit seemed only to be the amount of space available in the register. OC

Janet

Janet Report 30 Oct 2006 22:32

I have seen witnesses age 7! janet

Angela now in Wilts (not North Devon)

Angela now in Wilts (not North Devon) Report 22 Nov 2006 11:28

nudge