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Marriage Age

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Stephanie

Stephanie Report 23 Apr 2006 21:12

Does anyone know when 16 became the legal minimum age for marriage? It would seem that if the dates of birth two of my Gr,gr etc grandparents from the 1700s are correct they married very young. At 15 and 13 respectively. I know that at one time child marriages were legal but don't know when it was changed. Stephanie

An Olde Crone

An Olde Crone Report 23 Apr 2006 21:16

Up until the 1920s, the legal age for marriage was 12 for girls, 14 for boys - with parental consent (not always obtained, in my experience). In the 1920s, it rose to 16 with parental permission, 21 without. Olde Crone

Jennifer

Jennifer Report 23 Apr 2006 21:34

The Marriage Act of 1929. Jennifer

Tracy

Tracy Report 23 Apr 2006 21:37

I'm glad i read that... Answers a lot of my questions!! Thanks

Stephanie

Stephanie Report 23 Apr 2006 22:23

Thanks everyone, now all I need to do is make sure I have the correct couple. Unusual names though. Stephanie