I have the marriage certificate for my grandparent's in the Pro. Cathedral Dublin. They married in Feb. 1904. The witnesses are given as James, her brother and Lilly who I have on the 1911 Dublin census as Jamese's daughter. Lilly's age is given as 16 years on the census which would make her 9yrs old if she was the "Lilly" who acted as witness to the wedding. Would it have been possible to have a nine year old witness to a wedding way back then? I seem to recall been told girls as young as fourteen could be legally married in Ireland then! I have not come across any other "Lilly" during my research.
Bridget x
I have had second thoughts regarding the above query ! I don't know what possessed me to think a nine year old girl could act as a witness to a wedding! Ah fellow researchers, does not this give you an indication of how desperate I have become? LOL Bear with me a mo while I get my act together and offer up my latest theory! Right, My Nan Julia Lawlor married a Patrick Lawlor (no relation 1904. (now pulling my hair out.) I suspect as is the custom both bride and groom would each have a choice of witness. So, if my Nan choose her brother James as shown on the marriage certificate would it not be a possibility that her future husband Patrick would have a sister also named Lily Lawlor who he choose as his witness? (Now no hair left to pull) Ah, if only I could now find an older Lily Lawlor to fit the bill! All suggestions welcome no matter how derogatory! Am I losing the plot, be honest LOL Bridget x
