ENG-SHEFFIELD-L Archives

Archiver > ENG-SHEFFIELD > 2007-01 > 1169495558


From: Brad Rogers <>
Subject: Re: [SHEFF] Martha or George Stead 1841 Census
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:52:38 +0000
References: <000d01c73e53$4402a460$2101a8c0@home>
In-Reply-To: <000d01c73e53$4402a460$2101a8c0@home>


On Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:29:29 +0100
"Phil Woodger" <> wrote:

Hello Phil,

> I previously had Martha's age as approx' 17 (inferred from '51
> census) at the time of her marriage, but the certificate says that
> she is 20.

Date of birth, and therefore age, were not as important to people 150
years ago, as they are now. Consequently, ages in census returns can
be inaccurate. The same applies to ages on wedding certs for those,
and other reasons; One or both parties could lie about their ages to
conceal a large age gap, marriage involving a minor without parental
consent, etc.

> PS: I had not understood that Marriage by banns was a full wedding
> ceremony. Could SKS please help me on this.

Marriage by banns was the "normal" way of marrying. It required the
reading of the banns in church for three weeks prior to the wedding
actually taking place. This is to allow anyone that knows of any
lawful impediment to the marriage to come forward and object. Banns
should be read in the home parish of the bride and the groom, where
they live in different parishes.

--
Regards _
/ ) "The blindingly obvious is
/ _)rad never immediately apparent"

The public wants what the public gets
Going Underground - The Jam

This thread: