Genealogy Chat

I have a man marrying his wife's younger sister after his wife died. The younger sister had been working as a housemaid for them during her older sister's life time.

He had a daughter with his first wife named after his first wife and then went on to have a second daughter with his second wife (sister of the first wife) and named her after his dead wife. So you had a wife and two daughters all with the same name - it took some working out!

I think it must have been fairly common in the 1870s/80s. I have several relatives who married a deceased wife's sister.

Lyn.

I have a number of men who married, then wife died, and then he married wife's sister - this is in the UK. And recently discovered another chap who married 2 sisters - at the same time! They were Mormons living in Salt Lake City.

Thankyou Capricorn, I got that info too , I thought it hadn't worked so I did it again!

In my instance, Charles Simpson first wife Eliza, died in the Sept quarter of 1870 and he married her sister Emma in the march quarter of 1871!

Not much time mourning then!

No it wasnt an allowed match however it did happen . My maternal grt gran was married 3 times . her second husband was her cousin , he died 4 years later & she then married his elder bro ,a But HE was the widower of HER younger sister, Talk about a round robin ,and this was in the 1890,s

I have a man marrying his cousin and after her death, marrying his deceased brother's widow. There were children from all three marriages. Bet those kids were confused. A lot later than yours Reg - 2nd marriage was in 1919.

I had the reverse scenario.....a widow marrying her late husband's brother...........they had to go to the next county.

This was in 1839

Reg

Hello all,

I have heard conflicting reports as to whether marrying your wifes sister after the wife has died is a relationship frowned upon or was it "allowed"?

Can anyone help?

Claire