Xposted to northeast Victoria for those with German ancestors The following was written up in the Federal Standard 1867 - February 26th and I thought listers may be interested. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has any proof this is incorrect "MARRIAGE LAW IN GERMANY - Among the antiquated laws and customs of some of the smaller German States which will be abolished on their annexation to Prussia, not the least curious are those relating to marriage. In Electoral Hesse no man was allowed to marry if under 22 years of age and no woman if under 18. The result of this somewhat severe law was that while in other countries girls try to make people believe they are "sweet seventeen" for many years after they have left school, the Hessian young ladies often declare themselves to be 18 years old long before they have reached that age. The Prussian authorities however will change all that, the law of Prussia making the minimum marriageable age 18 for a man and 14 for a woman. In Wurtemburg men are not allowed to marry under 25, except by special dispensation. A curious law said to date from the time of the Visigoths also exists in that country forbidding any woman to marry a man 12 years young than herself. IN other German states similar anomalies occur. Thus in Saxony, the minimum marriageable age for a man is 21 for the woman there is no restriction. IN Austria a boy of fourteen may marry a girl of 12 while in Baden marriages where the bridegroom is under 25 or the bride under 18, are not allowed unless sanctioned by the police authorities." Interesting...........regards, Denise