ages of marriage witnesses

[katiejane]

I've looked at countless websites to try and find out if a witness to a marriage in victorian Britain had to be of a certain age, i.e. over 21 ? Does anyone know the answer to this ? There are lots of warnings that ages were often falsified, so at what stage were the bride & groom asked to provide proof of age to marry ? I'd also like to know if an immigrant wanting to marry in the UK in 1867 would have had to provide proof of age, parentage etc. If anyone can answer these questions it just might provide a tiny breakthrough !
Thanks, katiejane.

 

[johnson-burton]

Hi
hope you have found the information you were looking for if not have you tried your local Family History Society, they might be able to help.

 

[tbirduk]

There was (and is) no age limit for a marriage witness. The witness has to be capable of understanding the significance of what they are doing.

I am looking at an 1881 MC now that has a 14 year old Sister as the witness, I assume she was also Bridesmaid.

So far as Immigrants, they would usually have to marry in a Register office where proof of age was only requested if the Registrar though it was likely the person was under the age of Consent, allegedly an invitiation to the Wedding Celebration afterwards was usually considered sufficient.

In the case of Church weddings conducted by the Vicar/Curate the reading of the Banns and the fact there were no objections was considered sufficient proof, (some Vicars demanded proof of Baptism) this of course would cause difficulties in the case of Immigrants.

Hope this helps
Pete

 

[familyman]

is this a real chatroom?

 

[katiejane]

Thanks for that Pete, I had thought that a witness would have to be an adult, but it would appear not, if a 14 yr old was allowed to do it . The other question of the immigrant marrying, and providing proof of age may yet be sorted out if/when our Czech researcher comes up with anything ! The level of frustration when someone else is doing research is far greater than when one does their own at home! We're so lucky to have so much information on line here. So, thanks again, Katiejane.