Living in the County Archive: Marriage Consents and Returns

 

It’s time for another “Living in the County Archive”, where we take a look at a new record series examining what it is, where it comes from, and why it’s important.

For the month of February, and in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we are unveiling Marriage Consent and Return records. These records originate in Probate Court where couples still go to obtain a marriage license before their big day and copies of their marriage certificate after.

 

 The above image is of a “marriage record” or “marriage license”; the process to obtain this record was similar to the process we go through today. This record is kept by the county and lists the names of the couple being married; it also declares that they are old enough to marry, that they are not married to someone else, that they aren’t closely related, and that there is no other legal reason they should not be married.

 The “return” as pictured below is the slip of paper returned to the county after the marriage has been performed, which gives the day of the wedding, the names of the couple married, and the name of the person who solemnized the marriage. Once returned to the court, this information is documented in the record and a marriage certificate can be issued, just as it is done today. 

 

 

 

At the time these records were created, men under the age of 18 and women under the age of 21 were considered underage and were required to obtain a “letter of consent” from their parent or guardian allowing them to marry while underage.

Throughout history it was more common for parents and guardians to allow their underage daughters to marry due to economic factors. Historically, women worked in the home, meaning they were not bringing in an income to contribute to the family. In a family who is struggling financially it would be beneficial for a daughter to marry and become the responsibility of her husband, rather than to continuously be supported by her father, who may have many children he is struggling to feed. However, as women gained more rights, more education, and became able to support themselves, this need has dwindled.

Below is a copy of a “Marriage Consent” record which shows the consent of the guardian (appearing to be the mother in this case) to the marriage of the minor and her intended husband. Typically, it was the father who gave his consent, or the father and mother, but if the father was deceased or unable the responsibility was to the guardian of the minor.

 

 

 

 In the image below, we can see that oftentimes parents/guardians would simply write a note of their consent and have it delivered to the court. This letter also shows that it wasn’t just girls who were seeking permission to wed; in this case a father is writing the court on behalf of his underage son seeking a marriage license.

 

 

The Records and Archive Department houses marriage consent and return records from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, and we are currently working to make these records more accessible by organizing and cataloging the documents. If you wish to learn more or conduct your own research and would like to view these records, please feel free to stop by or set an appointment by contacting 740-670-5121 or email at archives@lcounty.com.