Parish registers in Scotland

[lisat]

Hi, can anyone explain the meaning of an entry I have for a 1796 marriage in the Stow Parish Register, which states " William Pringle and Margaret Scott were irregularly married at Edin. ( presumably Edinburgh) 10th (I think) July 1796 were afterwards rebuked before the  ?? ( session?) fined and this marriage confirmed. "
Does this mean they married elsewhere first, perhaps not in a Church of Scotland?
If so, would this indicate perhaps that one of them was born in Edinburgh, or can I not really assume anything from this.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Lisa

[josey]

rebuked before the  ?? ( session?) fined and this marriage confirmed. "

This would be the Kirk Session, rebuked because the marriage was not 'regular' so the Kirk would imply they were 'fornicating' as not 'married'. It may have been a 'handfast' ceremony in Edinburgh but my  understanding is that this happened more in rural areas.

There's some info here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_in_Scotland#Irregular_and_common-law_marriages
but I am sure a Scottish tradition/legal expert will be along soon...

[lisat]

Thanks Josey. That's interesting. I've not come across this before.

[josey]

A couple had to appear before a Kirk Session if they conceived a child out of wedlock. I don't hink they could attend church until an appearance had been made & reparations made.

Some interesting entries here
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01k06/

[Skoosh]

Or for some reason married in a non-conformist church (Episcopalian?).

Skoosh.

[lisat]

I tried checking 'other' churches on Scotlands People but had no luck. But I guess that's a possibility.

[Forfarian]

More likely that they got married by declaration before witnesses. The Kirk (for obvious reasons) disapproved of such marriages, but they were perfectly valid in the eyes of the Law. If, however, the couple wished to be members of the Kirk, and have their children baptised, they would be scolded and made to pay a fine for contracting an irregular marriage. before being 'restored to Church privileges'.

I have one like this in my tree: "Decr 30th 1775. This day by appointment John Waddle came before the Sess and presented Lines of Marriage with Jean Cuthil dated at Edinr August the 3d 1775 Upon which the Sess appointed him and her to Compear before the Congregation Sabbath first and although she was not to Compear they would take him under discipline for the same. [New Monkland Kirk Session minutes, National Archives of Scotland CH2/685/3/143]"

This is not the same as being summoned to be scolded and fined and do penance for fornication, though quite a few married couples did get this treatment if found to have indulged in ante-nuptial fornication, even if they had been married in the manner approved by the Kirk.

[lisat]

Thanks Forfarian, that's very helpful.

[sancti]

Hi, can anyone explain the meaning of an entry I have for a 1796 marriage in the Stow Parish Register, which states " William Pringle and Margaret Scott were irregularly married at Edin. ( presumably Edinburgh) 10th (I think) July 1796 were afterwards rebuked before the  ?? ( session?) fined and this marriage confirmed. "
Does this mean they married elsewhere first, perhaps not in a Church of Scotland?
If so, would this indicate perhaps that one of them was born in Edinburgh, or can I not really assume anything from this.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Lisa

Presbyterian marriages did not take place in the church building, more often in the home of the bride or the manse.