I have a True and Correct Copy of an Application for Marriage License from Fayette Co. with a completed Duplicate Cirtificate of Marriage in the 1930's issued by the courthouse in Uniontown. It states that the man and woman entered into a solemnization of marriage. This marriage did not involve any Minister, Priest, Justice of the Peace, Judge or other legal authority. What is the lagal basis for this marriage and is it still practiced? Does any one know anything about this kind of Marriage? Dee

Hi, The only thing I can think of is a "common law" marriage. The rules vary from state to state as to what constitutes such a marriage, but I recall that in Pennsylvania all that was required was a demonstration of an intention of the couple to form a marriage, and that there be at least one witness to the fact. The witness wasn't to the vows, but to the appearance of a marriage. Also, a common-law marriage required a legal divorce, not just a breaking up of the household. The laws may have changed over the past 20 years, what with couples living together, etc., but that was the law. Now, as to why they had an application, I can only guess. My first thought is that for some legal matter at a later date they needed written, legal proof of marriage. If someone has the real answer I sure would be interested in hearing it! Eva in Tallahassee --- Turekd08@aol.com wrote: > I have a True and Correct Copy of an Application for > Marriage License from > Fayette Co. with a completed Duplicate Cirtificate > of Marriage in the 1930's > issued by the courthouse in Uniontown. It states > that the man and woman > entered into a solemnization of marriage. This > marriage did not involve any > Minister, Priest, Justice of the Peace, Judge or > other legal authority. What > is the lagal basis for this marriage and is it still > practiced? Does any one > know anything about this kind of Marriage? > Dee > > > ==== PAMONVAL Mailing List ==== > Remember!! The "reply to" button will send only to > the author of a message. > If your reply "might" be of interest to the list, be > sure to enter > PAMONVAL-L@rootsweb.com in the cc box on your mail > program. > ===== Eva Dayle Zippay Tallahassee, Florida evadayle@yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/