Marrying Cousins

[Siely]

To AntonyMMM

There was a big political row about these issues between the social classes. The higher classes called it "breeding" (still do call it that I wonder ?).

Like many family history amateurs I have made some progress with names, dates, locations, occupations and now want to research the social history side of their tree.

[KGarrad]

Didn't Einstein marry his cousin?

[Siely]

To KGarrad

I didn't know that Einstein's second wife Elsa was his cousin

https://www.natgeotv.com/za/special/einsteins-valentines-elsa-einstein

[Siely]

Endogamy

According to Oxford online dictionary this is the correct anthropological term for intermarriage in a closed community.

[KGarrad]

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin_marriage

Only a problem in certain US States, and parts of East Asia (China, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philipines).

[california dreamin]

Thank you all.  I was told (wrongly judging by your answers) that there were attempts to ban it because of inherited poor health and anatomical problems, obviously this was wrong.

In the US (according to Wikipedia - Cousin Marriage) some states allow it and some don't.

I guess you haven't heard about the Whitakers! Some only grunt because they can't speak.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11934633/The-19-states-marry-cousin-despite-inbreeding-risks.html

CD

[carol8353]

My grandparents were 1st cousins, married in 1923.

We're all normal,in fact some of us have even attended university!

[Glen in Tinsel Kni]

Marriages between the assorted Royal families of Europe is well documented leading to instances where related individuals would marry (known as consanguineous marriages).
The Habsburg family took things to the extreme with consecutive generations of marriages between cousins from within their own family lines. The cumulative effect of such a long standing series of marriages decreases the gene pool and the last of the Spanish line, Charles II, is said to have had a genome comparable to that of a child born to a brother and sister.

[Wexflyer]

Such marriages are contrary to canon law.