'Of full age' at marriage

[sgrollitt]

My great-great-grandmother was married at St Peters in Dublin in 1846. She and her husband, who was probably English, were described as 'of full age'. In England that would mean they were 21 or over. Does it mean the same in Ireland?

[gill]

My great-great-grandmother was married at St Peters in Dublin in 1846. She and her husband, who was probably English, were described as 'of full age'. In England that would mean they were 21 or over. Does it mean the same in Ireland?

hi,
full age in Ireland does indeed mean 21 years or older.
hope this helps
gill

[sgrollitt]

Thanks Gill for taking the time to answer.

Simon

[NIFTYFIFTY47]

"Of full age" does indeed mean over 21 but is can also mean that someone was less than truthful about their age to their intended!!!!  This was more often than not the woman.

Mary.

[meathmitchell]

explains why a  my 45 year old ggfather married my 17 yo ggm and put full age down

[aghadowey]

explains why a  my 45 year old ggfather married my 17 yo ggm and put full age down

No, if the marriage certificate gave him as 'full age' and her as '17' it was filled out correctly. As long as the person getting married was of full age the age shouldn't have been listed (although officiants did sometimes put in ages for the couple even if over 21).