From: "Nick Taylor" <familyhistory@cnrt.co.uk> > Roy, > > I would be interested in your opinion on marriage bonds. In your > reply to Margaret's question your reply included "a bond with a friend > to forfeit a sum of money". > > I have such a bond (with what was then a huge forfeit) but I am > wondering if the person in question could be a relative of the lady of > the impending marriage. I have been unable to trace her ancestry but > if I assume that the other name on the bond was her father then I can > find a perfect answer to my quest. > > So my question is "Who were likely to sign a marriage bond? Were they > friends of the groom, relatives, potential in-laws or anybody?" > > The marriage did occur but I am unable to trace her line further > unless I conclude that the "bondsman" (is that a word?) was in fact > her father. > > Appreciate your views> One factor which might help to answer your question is, was the lady under age, a minor, i.e. under 21? If this was the case, she could only have married with permission of parent(s) or legal guardian. Normally, it was the bridegroom and a friend who entered into the bond but I see no particular reason why it couldn't have been his prospective father-in-law. -- Roy Stockdill Editor, Journal of One-Name Studies Guild of One-Name Studies website: www.one-name.org Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." OSCAR WILDE