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Archiver > TMG > 2001-12 > 1007261783


From: Richard Brogger <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Commonlaw Marriage
Date: Sat, 01 Dec 2001 20:56:23 -0600
References: <21.152672a7.293aa87b@aol.com>


Hi Grace,

A few years ago I averaged all known marriage ages in my database and
the average was just under 30 and 25. How well it fits varies a
little with the area but more with class. When a man had to establish
himself before he could afford a family, he tended to be about 35.
When a man was, in effect, established as a partner with his father,
they seem to marry younger, often before their mid twenties. My
farmer ancestors married younger than my city raised ancestors. I have
read that in some cultures the man is usually 35 and the wife 15. If
I had ancestors from that culture, my age 25 for brides would be shot
to pieces.

I have wished that software could look at known conditions and provide
a more accurate estimate. If a line has constantly married between 20
and 24 years of age, my average would be way off. If another line
constantly married between 30 and 36 years of age, my average would be
way off in the other direction.

Relatives in one line died young, while another line has several who
lived past 100. A computer could look at a host of factors and give a
much better estimate than what I have time to make. Since I don't want
to take time to calculate each situation, I use an average and it
works for me.

If you were to total ages from your lines and find an average, it may
be different than mine but it should work as well for you as mine does
for me. In the twentieth century my averages are way too high. I have
considered making a separate source and calculation for events after
about 1920 but have not taken the time. If I do, I expect that I
would come closer to 18 and 21 for women and men respectively.

I just ran the averages for four couples, man = 22.75 and wife =
20.75. Hardly a large sample but it does indicate how far off 30 and
25 are for my generation. I suspect the next generation would lower
the average even more. I just wish the computer would run the
calculations for me.

In a different vein, my grandfather died in 1952 but in 1988, 106 out
of 109 descendants (spouses included) were still living. I have often
wondered if three deaths among 109 descendants is not well below
average but, again, I have never checked the statistics.

Richard Brogger

wrote:
>
> Hi Richard,
>
> Yes , I was answering your letter.
>
> Isn't 30 years for a male and 25 years for a female pretty old for a first
> marriage?
>
> When a female is 18, she is already considered an old maid. :) and some cases
> called that in the application. At age 18 a woman does not need her parents
> consent to marry. A man is usually refereed to in his parents wills in this
> way "he will receive his share when he becomes 21 or marries" and very few
> males waited till the age of 30 to take a wife and start a family.
>
> Where I have proof, I have hardy any that are that old when 1st married, so I
> use the younger ages, until I get a Bible record or some other document.
>
> I have several illegitimate, and a couple of common-laws. Some are documented
> by court records (lawsuits, where the illegitimate children are suing for
> their share after their mothers death).
>
> The children do not usually know whether or not their parents were legally
> married cause of course they weren't there, they just have their word for it.
> Common-law was legal after 7 years in most states in the early days.
>
> Cheers,
> Grace S. Green
> http://GRACEGENES.tripod.com
>

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