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Adrian Smith
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Another dumb question...
« on: Friday 02 May 08 11:46 BST (UK) »
...does anyone know what the legal minimum age for a marriage witness was during 1884?  And, was it strictly enforced?

Regards,

Adrian.
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Hemmens - Westbury, Wiltshire, Winscombe,Axbridge Somerset.
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Fisherman
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Re: Another dumb question...
« Reply #1 on: Friday 02 May 08 12:02 BST (UK) »
Hi,

There has never been an age restriction on a witness, but I think that they would have to be old enough to understand what was going on.
I have a marriage where a 14 year old sister was a witness.

Chris
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Adrian Smith
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Re: Another dumb question...
« Reply #2 on: Friday 02 May 08 12:07 BST (UK) »
Thanks for the quick reply - I too have a very young witness and I was worrying about a possible case of mistaken identity.

Cheers,

Adrian.
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Hemmens - Westbury, Wiltshire, Winscombe,Axbridge Somerset.
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stanmapstone
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Re: Another dumb question...
« Reply #3 on: Friday 02 May 08 12:21 BST (UK) »
There was no minimum age for a witness. All the law required were "Two or more credible Witnesses". It was up to who ever was officiating to decide whether they were credible or not. As long as the young person understood what they were witnessing, and could reach the register. In practice, probably about 11-12 was the youngest likely to have been asked.

Stan
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Mapstone, Mapston. Sunderland, Somerset
Adrian Smith
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.natio
Re: Another dumb question...
« Reply #4 on: Friday 02 May 08 13:34 BST (UK) »
That's very reassuring.  My witness is 16.
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Smith - Bratton, Westbury,Wiltshire
Sheppard - Wiltshire. 
Loader - London, Hertforshire. 
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