Hello Wilma: Do you know the status of common law marriages in Missouri in the late 1800s? How long would a couple have to be together before the union became a "marriage" under common law? Did it matter if there were children, that is, would the existence of childrem make a union more likely to be considered a common law marriage? Could a common law wife inherit property in Missouri at that time? Thank you, Saralie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wilma Fields" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 4:34 PM Subject: Re: [MOLAWREN-L] Weddings & Funerals > > Pat, > > I know how you feel. I have been searching for a marriage for years! Some > of the family are beginning to believe they may have been "common law", but > I am not giving up just yet! Hang in there. Just a thought---have you > looked in Arkansas? I live in NW Arkansas, and will see if I might run > across something in Benton & Washington Counties. Some of my Barry Co. Mo. > families married in Arkansas! > > Wilma > > > > ==== MOLAWREN Mailing List ==== > Visit the Lawrence County Query, Biography, Obituary, Will, Deed, Bible, Pension, etc., Boards at: > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=rw&p=localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.lawrence > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

Saralie, I have put a request for copy of Mo. laws prior to 1921 concerning common law marriages. I had found them once, but have had trouble finding the correct link again. I did find the following, but not exactly what you are wanting. Will let you know when I get the info. Wilma State Historical Society of Missouri Marriage and Divorce Records in Missouri http://www.system.missouri.edu/shs/marriage.html Marriage records are not necessarily recorded in the county where they are performed. Prior to June 26, 1881, no marriage license was required; the marriage was recorded at any convenient courthouse. Since 1881 licenses have been required. A portion of the license is returned to the Recorder where the license was obtained and the marriage is recorded in that county only. A marriage license is valid anywhere inside the boundaries of the state. Common law marriages have been prohibited in Missouri since June 20, 1921; persons involved in such relationships have no legal interest in common property unless both names are on deeds, etc.

Thanks very much, Wilma. I appreciate your efforts on my behalf. Saralie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wilma Fields" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2003 12:27 PM Subject: Re: [MOLAWREN-L] Weddings & Funerals > > Saralie, > > I have put a request for copy of Mo. laws prior to 1921 concerning common > law marriages. I had found them once, but have had trouble finding the > correct link again. I did find the following, but not exactly what you are > wanting. > > Will let you know when I get the info. > > Wilma > > > State Historical Society of Missouri > Marriage and Divorce Records in Missouri > http://www.system.missouri.edu/shs/marriage.html > > Marriage records are not necessarily recorded in the county where they are > performed. Prior to June 26, 1881, no marriage license was required; the > marriage was recorded at any convenient courthouse. Since 1881 licenses have > been required. A portion of the license is returned to the Recorder where > the license was obtained and the marriage is recorded in that county only. A > marriage license is valid anywhere inside the boundaries of the state. > > Common law marriages have been prohibited in Missouri since June 20, 1921; > persons involved in such relationships have no legal interest in common > property unless both names are on deeds, etc. > > > > ==== MOLAWREN Mailing List ==== > Looking for a town, postoffice, cemetery, creek, etc. > Try the mapping services at USGS GNIS. > http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnis/web_query.gnis_web_query_form > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

Saralie, Received this from Missouri State Archives today. Hopefully after my response back to them, I will get the answer for you ( and everyone else on this board) concerning law in Mo., but it may take a while. Wilma We have copies of the Laws of Missouri back to 1824. What exactly did you want concerning this law? Do you want a copy of the law which made common law marriages illegal or copies of the laws prior to that? Did you want to come here and view the laws for yourself, or do you want photocopies of the laws? We can copy them for you at the cost of ten cents per page. Please let us know your wishes.