Marriage Law for Genealogist - The Definitive Guide

Marriage Law for Genealogists: The Definitive Guide. By Rebecca Probert. Published by Takeaway Publishing. Copies are obtainable directly from the author at books@takeawaypublishing.co.uk or on Amazon. 2012. 160 pp. Illustrations, index. Softcover. $14.99.

The book is the definitive guide to understanding marriage law in England and Wales, from 1600 to the present. This book is written for genealogists and it is not a legal text. It is not a light read, but it is clearly written and is certainly worth the effort in reading all the way through to get a complete, accurate picture of marriage laws before it is used as a research tool to look up specific questions. 

Ms. Probert is a genealogist and Professor of Family Law at Warwick University and a leading authority of the history of marriage laws of England and Wales. She strongly disputes the writings of other historians such as John Gillis, Lawrence Stone and Brian Outhwaite who have all written extensively on marriage laws and practice, divorce, cohabitation, and children out of wedlock. Their books have guided many genealogists, including me, who write and research marriage laws. Probert contends that the errors and assumptions of these authors create confusion for genealogists. I would absolutely agree with her. In my personal opinion, she succeeds in clarifying the changing rules of marriage from 1600 to the present.

The book addresses five questions.  (1) “Whether and Why” your ancestor married deals with the likelihood of any given couple having gone through a valid ceremony of marriage. (2) “Who” examines who could marry, and whom they could or could not marry. (3) “How” examines the formalities required for a valid marriage, plus what that means for Roman Catholics or Protestants. (4) “When”  looks at the age at which couples could and did marry, when parental consent was required and who could object; plus it examines the seasons, days and hours when marriage could be and were celebrated. (5) “Where” moves beyond the legal requirements to large scale genealogical studies that provide guidance to family historians on where they may need to look for the marriages of their ancestors. Throughout the book there is a continual discussion of important key conditions (changing over time) that make a marriage valid, void, and voidable. Additionally there is frequent discussion about what in the law was required versus what was directory. Included in the text are sample questions typically raised by genealogists, and these are answered clearly. This is a must have book for all Genealogist. 

This book will greatly add to your understanding of marriage laws and help you in your research. It is a must for anyone seeking to understand the laws or struggling to find a particular marriage ancestor’s marriage. (Unique laws apply in Scotland and Ireland so don’t apply the laws here to other places, but make use of the framework presented here as an excellent structure for examining marriages in other locations.) If you think you know everything you need to know about English marriage laws then take the author's quiz

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Princeton Battlefield Society - Tactical Reenactment

It is my great pleasure to share an exceptional upcoming event taking place April 6th and 7th 2013. The Princeton Battlefield Society of New Jersey will offer a tactical reenactment of the Battle of Princeton held on the site showing General Mercer's portion of the battle. Attending units will participate in a reenactment of General Hugh Mercer’s Brigade’s attack on, and defeat by, the British 4th Brigade, along with the subsequent rallying and counterattack of the American forces lead by General Washington.

The Princeton Battlefield Society will be offering a special tour of the battlefield. Refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the two day event. There will be militia drills, games and stories for the kids and for those young at heart. If you are interested please contact by email - Brianjkovacs@aol.com to confirm your attendance or ask any additional information about this event. Donations are welcome.

Find the Princeton Battlefield Society Here 

If you like to use Facebook and would like to follow or contact them, below is the link. Link to the Princeton Battlefield Society on Facebook

Children of the 18th Century

CHILDREN IN THE 18TH CENTURY from guido verelst on Vimeo.

A recreated look into the lives of children of the 18th Century.

Enjoy! 

Now for a reality check, which most of you are probably crying for after seeing this? Why? Because most of our ancestors did not live a life anywhere like this. 

There is an outstanding book, yes you still need to get your history there sometimes too. It was written by Alice Morse Earle, 1851-1911. It is called Child Life in Colonial Times and was republished by Dover Publications, Inc., in 2009. It is a newly reset, unabridged republication of the work originally published as Child Life in Colonial Days by The Macmillan Company, New York, in 1899. 

In this well written book, author Alice Morse Earle really describes what life was like for children in the colonial period. She also authored another great book, you should also own, Home Life in Colonial Times. Both literally are a treasure trove of customs and facts found no where else so complete. I have both of these in print and also on my iPad. I enjoy reading both of them. Every serious student of American Colonial History, or reenact or should have copies. 

Chatelaines - Châtelaines - Helper's

18th Century 
Chatelaines - Châtelaines

The word "Chatelaine" actually has two meanings. One is of course the tool that this lens is about, and the other means the mistress of a castle, mansion or house. The word in French literally means "kepper of the keys." A Chatelaine is a decorative belt hook or clasp worn at the waist with a series of chains suspended from it. Each chain is mounted with a useful household appendage such aas scissors, thimble, watch, key vinaigrette or perhaps a household seal. 

Since women of antiquity did not have a lot of pockets and they had to move around a large area, carrying these helpful items around with her kept her on task. The use of chatelaines dates all the way back to the Elizabethan Era. They were of course used during the American Revolutionary Period as the above picture represents one that was in service to it's mistress. There have been many times I wished I had a chatelaine even today. Not all of my clothing have pockets or ones big enough for what I need to carry around with me for the day. 

Below is a link to my collection of Chatelaines on Pinterest. 

Enjoy,

Christine

Chatelaines on Pinterest

Colonial Recipes - Making Wassail

COLONIAL HOT CIDER PUNCH, AKA "WASSAIL' 

1 Gallon heated apple cider 
1/2 ounce brandy flavoring 
1/2 ounce rum flavoring OR (even better) 1/2 quart light rum 
3 sticks cinnamon 
3 to 6 whole oranges small bag of whole cloves 


Simmer mixture with 3 sticks whole cinnamon to melt--DO NOT COOK. Allow to cool, pour into punch bowl. Separately stick whole cloves around entire surface of 3 to 6 whole oranges. Place oranges into baking pan with 1/2 inch of water, and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Place oranges into punch bowl Serves 40 Serve with pound cake, nut cake, or cheese and crackers. 

Enjoy!

Christine