Hi Charlie, You're right, I think. Today dispensations are between the priest and the marriage tribunal and done on paper. We just make a notation in the record book that the dispensation was granted. The witnesses are for the marriage itself. I don't know why your dispensation needed witnesses--- but that was a long time ago. There are other "dispensations" available. One is from "canonical form" which would be for a Catholic getting married to a non-Catholic in her church. Another would be for having the wedding outside a church building (in the city park, in a hospital bed, SCUBA diving, etc). I suspect the only way you will know for sure is to review the entire record book and see if you can come up with some patterns. David At 07:13 AM 3/19/2008, you wrote: >Hi David, >Thanks. I never thought of that. It is, in my opinion, strange >though, that there were two witness present for this dispensation of >'consanguinity'. I thought that most of the 'consanguinity' >dispensations could be handled by the Priest without the need for witnesses. >Interestingly, one of the witnesses, Bridget Hughes, appears to be >related to the groom, James Hughes. >Thanks for the help, >Charlie King > >David wrote: >Frequently the "dispensation" is from "consanguinity" which means >they were related, probably as third cousins. >David > >_____________________________________________________________ >Free information - Learn about Financial Career Training. Click now! >http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2111/fc/Ioyw6iigiCwK0eFBLJxxEWsia0gp6CGzQAjZimXqCoJ5pv9AoGpX3G/ > > > >********************************** >Longford Genealogy Website: http://www.rootsweb.com/~irllog/ > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >IRL-LONGFORD-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' >without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message