Family Historian User Group

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

To my knowledge it's never been illegal.

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]

You may find this link of interest:

Deceased Wife's Sister's Marriage Act 1907

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!

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.

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

Many Thanks
Dave