A marriage puzzle

[Muriel]

I was looking for a marriage & discovered the people I was looking for appear to have married twice - 5 months apart. This was in 1910 so I don't want to mention names. However, on April 30th 1910 these 2 people marry in Edinburgh by declaration before witnesses and the marriage is registered. On 9 September 1910 the same 2 people - same addresses, same parents (except that the first name of the groom's father had changed from William to George), same witnesses marry in Glasgow. The marriage is registered in Glasgow. Neither of the witnesses is a family member.

I could understand if the first wedding had been in the Registry Office & then there was a church wedding, or if the parties had lived in different places and the marriage was registered in both. I've previously found a birth registered in the place of birth and the normal place of residence of the parents. But 2 marriages by warrant of the Sheriff in 2 different cities Has anyone else come across this or have any idea why it would be.

Muriel

[AndrewP]

Hi Muriel,

Registry Office marriages didn't exist until 1st July 1940, following the enactment of the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1939. The "by declaration" marriage usually means that they were irregularly married, and declared it to have it registered.

The second marriage was a "regular" marriage - a religious ceremony.

All the best,

AndrewP

[Muriel]

Well, that's what I wondered Andrew but they are both "by declaration" marriages and both are noted as being by warrant of the Sheriff (the stamp of the Sheriff Principal in Edinburgh & a written notation of the Sheriff Substitute in Glasgow) issued on the day of the marriage. As they were both based in Midlothian it seems strange that they went to Glasgow for the "second" marriage.

Muriel