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Archiver > LONDON > 2005-03 > 1111599905


From: "John Brown" <>
Subject: Re: [Lon] Child Witnesses
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 17:45:05 -0000
References: <1d4.38b1c203.2f72f61a@aol.com>


: <> wrote :

<snip>
> My question, therefore, is: is it possible for a seven year old to have
> acted as a witness at the marriage of his grandfather?

Possible perhaps, though I'd think it pretty unlikely.

> Does anyone know where the law stood in 1886 as far as competency of
> witnesses stood?

The witness has to be capable of properly understanding the meaning and
significance of what he or she is witnessing. Personally I don't think a 7
year old would have been considered competent in this respect, but the final
decision would have been up to the priest or registrar involved.

>
> Does anyone else have an example of a child acting as a witness for a BMD
> registration?

I have a death registered by a girl 2 days shy of her 13th birthday; I think
that's the youngest in my tree. I can't immediately recall any marriage
witnesses less than 15 or 16.

John B
Leic., Eng

"Helpful Advice & urls for London Listers" at
http://londongenhelp.blogspot.com/

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