Married dead wifes sister.

[eric]

Hi Blodwen, Newf, Behindhindthefrogs,
Your replies are most interesting. "Cannon Law" [Church Law] was the cause of my grand parents losing their positions as school master and sewing mistress, in a Church School. They had four children before they were married in a Register Office in 1914, this being after the 1907 ruling that a man could marry his dead wifes sister. The Church probably accepted they were perhaps legally married circ. 1902 to offer them their posts back as teachers in 1914. The Church being very strict regarding children being born out of wedlock, teachers were regarded as "Pillars of Society"
I still have not solved the situation of whether my grand parents were perhaps married  around 1902, I must keep working on it.
Regards, Eric.

[ChrisWibs]

The 1835 Act is perfectly clear. The marriage was void and the parties were committing an offence by marrying within the prohibited degrees.

I have noted that, in practice at least, no one seemed to bother much and I am trying to find a case where some action was taken or children declared illegitimate.

[wrjones]

I have three instances within my Conway family where this happened during the 1800's.

Regards
William Russell Jones.

[ChrisWibs]

Hello,

Do you mind telling me whether they were before or after 1835 and whether the marriages lasted till death or whether anyone took any steps to do anything about the situation.

If you prefer please feel free to send me a private message


Regards

Chris

[wrjones]

The marriages took place after 1835.There were no apparent attempts to interfere with the situation and the examples I have were as been stated originally in this thread,after the death of the original spouse.

Regards
William Russell Jones.