This discussion of marriage licenses reminded me of an article I found some time ago and I thought you might enjoy it. Editorial from the Centre County PA newspaper, "The Centre Democrat" Thursday, June 25, 1885. LICENSED MATRIMONY "One of the vexed questions of Pennsylvania social economy has been the laxity of her marriage and divorce laws. A man and woman could marry themselves and they were about as easily divorced. Marriages were hasty and repentance not as leisurely as one might suppose...This laxity in our marriage and divorce laws was having a relaxing effect on the moral of the people...The new marriage law is one step in the direction of reform in the social economic question of marriage and divorce." "No person can get married without a license from the Clerk of the Orphans' Court; no person can obtain a license unless legally qualified. Minors cannot obtain a license without the written consent of parents or guardians. No person legally qualified to perform the marriage ceremony of his church or society can do so unless the license is first produced, under penalty of one hundred dollars. There can be no sham or mock marriages, elopements will not be so easy and bigamy without perjury will be impossible. Young and innocent girls will be protected from the machination of designing villains, who, under the guise of a secret marriage, accomplished their ruin. On the whole we regard the bill as one of the best measures passed by the last Legislature and one that will be of lasting benefit to the Commonwealth. If the Governor signs it, it will go into effect October 1, 1885." Beverly Carter bcarter2@wi.rr.com No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.11/836 - Release Date: 6/6/2007 1:10 PM