Cousins

[Cynfran]

Might you expect to find a marriage having taken place between second cousins during the mid 19th century?

[stanmapstone]

Yes, there was no reason why they could not marry. It was not only possible for first cousins [cousins-german] to marry each other; it was also quite common, having been legalized in the 1540s. Before this all provinces of the Catholic Church did agree that marriage between first cousins was essentially unacceptable.

The Act was 32 Hen VIII, c.38 (1540). [Marriage]. (Precontracting & Degrees of Consanguinity). Which says in effect that all marriages were valid unless prohibited by God's laws.  2nd . July 1540.
Among its other provisions it declared that the relationship between first cousins did not constitute a divine prohibition of affinity.


Stan

[Cynfran]

Thanks Stan for such a complete answer. I found that my great grandfather's daughter married what appeared to be a cousin of her mother. I can now follow that thread with more confidence!