I couldn't get either url to open but this was the message I found. It was a common practice for the bride and groom to hold hands and proclaim their unity to witnesses. The couple could then live for a year and a day as a married couple. After this time period had passed, should the couple wish to part ways, they could with no hard feelings. Should they wish to stay together, a priest was usually called in to perform the marriage rites to make the union legally binding. >> -- >> No virus found in this outgoing message. >> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 266.2.0 - Release Date: 2/21/2005 >> >> >> > > > > ==== MDWASHIN Mailing List ==== > Keep informed of the latest news and new databases, webpages and mailing > lists at RootsWeb. Subscribe to the weekly RootsWeb Review. To > subscribe, start here: http://newsletters.rootsweb.com/ > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx > >