Genealogy Chat

Hello. I hope someone on here can help me as my mind is in a pickle. What was the youngest age a person could marry in the middle/late 1800s? I have a George Roper who was born around 1842/43 in Docking, Norfolk. After trawling through various census returns, I think I found him and his wife (Sarah) and family. The dates and places of birth tie up nicely. However, on obtaining the marriage certificate, the date of marriage was 1850. That would make George 7/8 years old. The father's name also matches (who also happens to be George). I have been unable to find any other marriages for a George Roper, born in Docking, Norfolk around 1842/43. Is there something blindingly obvious here, that I am missing (other than, I have the wrong marriage certificate for George and Sarah). Can anyone help?

Well, it was younger than now, but I think 7 or 8 is pushing it!!! Trouble with ancestors in villages is they all shared the same rotten names and this is probably another cousin or something. I will have a quick look at the transcripts. Have you found him on the 1861 or asked for an 1851 look up? Sorry, dont look like Docking has been transcribed yet - but do check out the archives site as lots of Ropers, Roopers, Ropars on there who live very close to Docking area: http://www(.)genealogy(.)doun(.)org/transcriptions/surnames(.)php Remember to delete all the brackets first.

On the 1861 the only George Roper I can find in Docking is aged 17 a carter and unmarried living as a lodger. There are a lot of other Ropers in Docking but the only other George is an inmate aged 2. Where did you get his birth year from please? Where did your two marry?

Did you find his birth certificate or was it a christening. If christening then he may not have been a baby when christened. Sometimes they did put in the christening records the year of birth, Adult or they had the whole family christened at the same time. You would really need to see the fiche to see what it was. Should have added that the age for girls was 12 and boys 14 not many did marry that young but some were 16. Irene

Totally Confused - that's the same one I found. I going to order his birth certificate, but I have an 'orrible feeling I have got another George Roper here, who also happens to have a father called George, who also happens to have been born in Docking. Out of interest, the marriage certificate states 'full age'. How old would this have been. Is it 21???

At least 21 - you could be 80 and it would still say of full age. Assuming he was only 21 then that George would have been born 1829.

It was 14 for boys & 12 for girls. My grt Gran was 15 when she married in 1870 Shirley

With parental consent girls could marry at 12 and boys at 14. This was true right up to 1929 when the age changed to 16, (although very few people married this young). I think you must have the wrong person. Kath. x

Yep - just confirmed it myself. I have the wrong George. :o( Ahhhhhhh :o( *sob*

Better to find out now Heather than in 5 years time when you find you have traced the whole wrong line like some poor devils have done on here.