Underage marriage and permission

[acookey]

Hi All

This is a follow on to my other thread on Edward Cullen (Intruiging Puzzle etc).  I have a copy of a marriage certificate that was issued to other researchers in 1988.  Edward Cullen was 20 years old, based on his death certificate which stated he was married at 20, and his supposed d of b, and his wife Jane was probably about 16.

The certificate that I have does not show who gave permission for the marriage.  I am trying to find his parentage and this may be important.

The details are:  Edward Cullen m Jane Harrision, St. Mathews Roman Catholic Church,  8 August 1853.  Witnesses James Harrison and Bridget Bullock.

Does anyone have access to church records that might show the names of those who gave permission.

With thanks

ACookey

[bearkat]

The marriage ceretificate should give name and occupation of the father of the bride and groom.

As this couple were minors a marriage license would have been required.  These usually said "with the consent of" a named parent or guardian.

You could try looking for a license at the county record office .

[acookey]

Hi

I missed out on saying that they were married in Windsor, NSW.  The certificate I have does not give any of that information as mentioned by Bearkat.  Which is why I would like to be able to see the original church record as I think it was just before civil registration in NSW.

Annette

[bearkat]

Sorry about that.  I did have a quick look at your other post, saw Windsor and presumed it was in England. 

[gennig]

Hi acookey

The following is a link to the Hawkesbury on the net.  They are transcribing registers and placing them online.  Unfortunately, they don't have St Matthew's marriages online. 

http://www.hawkesbury.net.au/church/

Regards


Genni

[minnie222]

Looks like a tough one.

Is the church still there?  Perhaps you could contact the local minister and find out where the Archived records might be?

The parent's might have been "witnesses' for the marriage.

Barb

[acookey]

Hi All

Thanks for that link Genni.  They may not have St. Mathews RC marriages but I found two deaths that could be significant for me.   One was for James Cullen aged 40 buried in 1849 (St Matthews RC Windsor) and Thomas McKenna 1842 (St, Joseph's RC MacDonald River).

I cannot see either of these on NSW BMD, (see my other thread), so I wonder just how many church registers never made it to BMD.

Annette

[Andcarred]

Hi,

The Mitchell Library in Sydney have St Matthews RC parish register. 

Andcarred 

[MarieC]

You might be in luck, then, Annette!

State Libraries will normally do a limited amount of free research for people living in their own States and outside the metropolitan area.  However, I am in Queensland like you, and some time ago I contacted the Mitchell Library - who very kindly sent me copies of some papers they held relating to some of my ancestors!!!

So go ahead and contact them, explaining the circumstances of your request.  I feel fairly confident that they will look up the registers for you!

Let us know what happens!

MarieC