Married two sisters

lancashiredave · Post by **lancashiredave** » 26 Jan 2007 23:24

I have an ancestor who married two sisters(at different times) is it legal, was it ever illegal and if so when did it become legal.
I know thats a bit of mouthful but I'm sure you will see what I am getting at.

Dave[rolleyes]

ID:2139

Post by **Anonymous** » 26 Jan 2007 23:31

To my knowledge it's never been illegal.

lancashiredave · Post by **lancashiredave** » 26 Jan 2007 23:36

Thanks for that Marmine.
There was some controversy in the family about it.
They wanted it all hushed up because they thought it was illegal.
The marriages were back in 1855 and 1862.

Ah well you live and learn.
[smile]

Post by **NickWalker** » 27 Jan 2007 00:23

You may find this link of interest:

Deceased Wife's Sister's Marriage Act 1907

tonyt · Post by **tonyt** » 27 Jan 2007 04:18

lancashiredave said:
Thanks for that Marmine.
There was some controversy in the family about it.
They wanted it all hushed up because they thought it was illegal.
The marriages were back in 1855 and 1862.

Ah well you live and learn.

My gt grandad did the same, and about the same time. On top of that they were his first cousins!

PatrickT · Post by **PatrickT** » 27 Jan 2007 12:19

It was illegal until 1907 (see Nick's post above) but was the subject of great controversy in Victorian times. The law doesn't seem to have stopped people doing it, but sometimes they took precautions. My great great grandfather married his dead wife's sister but did so under a different name and in a different place.

Interestingly, while marrying your deceased wife's sister became legal in 1907 it was not until 1921 that the Deceased Brother's Widow's Marriage Act was passed giving women the equivalent right.

lancashiredave · Post by **lancashiredave** » 28 Jan 2007 10:46

Thanks for that everyone now Iunderstand why thefamily tried to hush thinga ups

Many Thanks
Dave

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