Was full age always full age

[Max2121]

Hello everyone,
If a girl has full age on her marriage record is that set in stone that she was?
I am looking into my great grandmother she married my great grandfather in 1879 but the only birth record I can find has her born in 1867
Would a girl that young really have married?
Any help would be greatly appreciated

[ShaunJ]

Isn't it unlikely that an 11 or 12 year old would pass for 21?

[Max2121]

It is indeed, I know they could be legally wed at quite a young age but seeing full age seems a bit odd if she was that young, I can't find anyone else who matches though. There again I am no expert

[Max2121]

Her name was Mary Morrison daughter of Michael Morrison, she married Michael Colligan in 1879, quite a common name I know
Ballymote is the location.

[riannisuileabhain]

it wasn’t uncommon for a 17-20 year old to lie about being over 21. you didn’t need any sort of certificate to prove your age as it was usually based on trust. I believe girls could be wed at age 13 or so however i highly doubt an 11/12 year old could even pass as 19/20 and even at that girls that young didn’t usually marry.

[Max2121]

Thank you for replying both of you, I guess this may be one of those brick walls.

[riannisuileabhain]

are michael and mary together in the census? if they are what age is she then and what birth year does that reflect? if they had any daughters it’s likely one of them could be named after mary’s mother.

[Max2121]

Yes they are, one gives her birth year as 1865 and one as 1871, I did see a birth entry for a Mary Morrison daughter of Michael Morrison and Honoria Kevil 1867.
My grandmother was named Honoria and this is what fuels my confusion.

[heywood]

Here is your previous thread for information. I doubt Honoria as mother due to Mary’s age 

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=858879.0