Marriage Witnesses

Andrew C. · Post by **Andrew C.** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:30 pm

Can anyone tell me what age someone would have to have been to be a witness at a marriage?

Post by **paddyscar** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:33 pm

Hi AndrewC:

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/regscot/ ... tland.html

Prior to 1929, girls could marry at 12 and boys at 14, so it is possible that the witness ages could have corresponded. That may be addressed in the Marriage Law prior to 1929.

Frances

Muriel · Post by **Muriel** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:48 pm

I don't think there was an age bar as far as witnesses were concerned. I've several in my tree where at least one of the witnesses was a much younger sibling or cousin. There was usually at least 1 adult witness - perhaps the minister or priest would have had something to say if all the witnesses had been youngsters.

Muriel

Thrall · Post by **Thrall** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:49 pm

Hi Andrew, FWIW, I have a ten year old, my mother´s eldest sister witnessing a marriage in 1918. Perhaps it was cheaper to have a child as witness as they would get a half on the train and bus!

Guid hunting,

Thrall

Andrew C. · Post by **Andrew C.** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:11 pm

Thanks for that I have a fourteen year old girl witness which I thought was a bit young and the boy I can't find his birth however he is not on the 1911 census (Ireland) and he also looks very young in the photo I have.

carlineric · Post by **carlineric** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:45 pm

I have had a look in Vital Registration (the handbook for Registrars) and there is no mention of ages for witnesses.

Eric