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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Topic started by: Faye567 on Wednesday 17 April 13 18:24 BST (UK)

Title: Age recorded as minor on marriage certificate?
Post by: Faye567 on Wednesday 17 April 13 18:24 BST (UK)

Hi, I guess I just wanted to verify this with someone who is more experienced than me. But, I have an ancestor who's age is recorded as being a minor on her marriage certificate in 1840. Her husbands age is recorded as being of Full age. Am I right in thinking this means he was over 18 and she was under 18? I know that what age is considered to be a minor has changed over time, so I just wanted to make sure I was understanding this correctly.

Title: Re: Aged recorded as minor on marriage certificate?
Post by: Huckleberry on Wednesday 17 April 13 18:32 BST (UK)

Age of majority was 21 in 1840.  Lowered to 18 in 1970

Title: Re: Age recorded as minor on marriage certificate?
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 17 April 13 18:59 BST (UK)

 "Full age in a male or female is twenty-one years, which age is completed on the day preceding the anniversary of a person's birth." Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England

Stan

Title: Re: Age recorded as minor on marriage certificate?
Post by: Mr Momo on Monday 20 March 17 09:34 GMT (UK)

I have a 30 January 1858 marriage certificate from the Church of Ireland in Dublin.

I am pretty sure that the bride was under 21 and I reckon that the word 'Senior' has been entered in the Age column.

What does 'Senior' mean?  Or if I am mistaken in my interpretation, what might it have been?

Momo