Hello Sheila, Many thanks for the explanation. Yes, I would like further information on such irregular marriages. Was the practice widespread, do you know? This could account for the many instances I have found, including my own g. grandfather, where there are lawful children born but where I have been unable to find a Marriage in the OPR. Regards, Alastair
Hello Alastair The practice was widespread. The following is quoted from the Scottish Record Office book on Scottish Ancestors so if you, or any other listers, have odd queries do get in touch and I shall see if the answer is in this book. 'Irregular Marriages Until 1940, irregular marriages, in the form of a declaration by the parties before witnesses, but not before an established clergyman, were perfectly legal. However, such marriages were frowned upon. The parties might be rebuked by their kirk session and they and their witnesses were liable to be fined. Thus evidence of such marriages may be found in kirk session minutes and in burgh and JP court records. They are further explained in the introduction to Calendar of Irregular Marriages in the South Leith Kirk Session Records 1697-1818 (Scottish Record Society). The Ewart Library in Dumfries is the best source of information about irregular marriages at Gretna Green. The SRO has copies of registers of similar marriages at Lamberton Toll, Berwickshire 1833-1849.' Many went on to marry at a later date due to the church chasing them up. They had to pay to be married by a clergyman and it was a substantial amount of money, so we can understand why many just lived together as man and wife. I could only find one record, typical when we search on the spur of the moment! The cost in 1793 was 1/2d. - one shilling two pence. Sheila. Alastair Macdonald wrote: > Hello Sheila, > > Many thanks for the explanation. Yes, I would like further information on such irregular marriages. Was the practice widespread, do you know? This could account for the many instances I have found, including my own g. grandfather, where there are lawful children born but where I have been unable to find a Marriage in the OPR. > Regards, Alastair > > >