This "thread" seems to have evolved into multiple subject headers which makes it more difficult to follow, so I'll just respond here to the original query. > Hi - In some of the early marriage records in Kentucky (1800-1860), > it shows the word intermarriage between the two persons. Exactly > what did that mean in that time period - does anyone know? > > Thanks, Lorraine. <Landmoffat@aol.com> Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary ©1953 says: intermarry: To become connected by marriage between their members; - said of families, ranks, castes, etc - noun intermarriage. (and to the etc., I would add the ones that I mentioned previously of religious, ethnic, or racial backgrounds) The Blackburn quote is along similar lines. So although marriage itself was a necessary component of this, it is not a simple case of intermarry=marry as intermarriage has broader implications in terms of families (and the groups they belonged to) etc. The marriage partners became members of each other's respective families upon marriage and, with the coming of children, there were grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc shared by both. families. The families themselves would also tend to merge socially. These are all aspects that needed to be looked at and analyzed in advance of any marriage and would have been part of the "intermarriage" aspect.. It was a concern of parents that their children marry into the *right* family. There is/was a reason for the consent laws. That being so that the parents could make certain that the right decision was being made. Of course, you'll only find the consent to intermarry in the required legal documents. If legal permission was not required because of age, the parents still could consent/approve or disapprove and enforce that with threats of disinheritance etc. A rich family might look suspiciously upon a marriage partner from a poorer family as perhaps being after the money or it might be an issue of political power for other families. Bottom line here is that I am suggesting that they used the term "intermarry" so as to reflect all the broader implications of a marriage. Bob ps: Just sitting here waiting for someone to say: "what if they were both orphans"<g> Robert Heiling <robheil@attbi.com>