I knew a guy who married one of his daughter's recently-graduated high school classmates. I was there when daughter and new step-mom met, and realized they knew each other. *shudder*
I understand that originally all the 13 colonies had some kind of common law marriage. The purpose was supposedly to ensure that women and children were supported. I think most held 7 years or children as the standard. If the wife and children were not fed, clothed, and cared for, you were liable for prosecution. In Alaska, we've never had common law marriage that I know of, but ANYONE was the power to marry two people--once. I have known a number of people who have married more than one couple in their lives with no consequences. I don't know about the marriage license, but they do have to be registered with the nearest legal entity. I think this was done as so many communities are far apart, and clergy, magistrates, etc. are not always available.
And then we come to the practice of blood tests before marriage. I mean, they kinda put a crimp on common law marriages. And, as a note: Although syphilis is pretty much curable nowadays, are there still some states that demand a blood test?
You made me go look. Montana was the last state where it was technically on the books, so they cleaned it up in 2019. But functionally it was gone in 2007. As of 1980 there were still 34 states with the requirement on the books: >19 states repealed their law in the 1980s >7 repealed in the 1990s >7 more repealed between 2000 and 2008 >Mississippi repealed in 2012 Per this article, the pretense was for VD,but the real reasons were much darker: Like so many invasive procedures mandated by governments, mandatory blood tests for couples seeking marriage licenses were a product of the age of eugenics and Progressive politics — two things that often go together. The motives were racism and eugenics.
Marriage licenses themselves were originally developed to prevent interracial marriages form what I have read. It might be nice to have an HIV test prior to marriage to make sure you knew if you were marrying someone positive, as not everyone infect with it knows they are infected. It would not prevent the marriage, but would inform both parties of the status of their partners. There is so much child bearing going on outside of marriage now, though, I guess that would be moot.
That's interesting. I wonder how many "Aren't technically valid" marriages there are there. I found the following on the state's .gov website. It's (c.) that's relevant to what you were talking about, Don. *********************************************************[redacted for brevity] 8.Who Can Perform Ceremony. A marriage ceremony may be solemnized (performed) by a. A minister, priest, or rabbi of any church or congregation in the state, or by a commissioned officer of the Salvation Army, or by the principal officer or elder of recognized churches or congregations that traditionally do not have regular ministers, priests, or rabbis. b. A judicial officer of the state anywhere within the state. [civil ceremony] c. A marriage commissioner appointed by the presiding judge of the judicial district. An adult private citizen may obtain an appointment as a marriage commissioner. The appointment will be limited to performing a ceremony for two designated persons on a specified day at a specified place within the judicial district. The appointment order is valid only as completed. If any fact such as the date changes, a new appointment must be obtained. Every ceremony done by a marriage commissioner requires a separate appointment. [snip] Alaska residence is not required. ********************************************************* I'm sure this has morphed over the years. We can all imagine some of the disputes that arose over the informality.
The part about a separate appointment is what I was referring to when I said I have know several people who have conducted multiple marriages under the same appointment. It is among the "hippie people" so perhaps they don't care if it is legal. It is legal in the eyes of the universe or whatever....
The real concern now (in circles where honestly is still permitted) is that in such communities, the gene pool is getting shallower. You have half-siblings making babies together without even realizing that they are closely related. A pre-marriage DNA test might quell that tide, but you're only talking the source of maybe 1/4 of the babies. This ship has sailed, and there will be lots of carnage (and power) to be had from the fallout.
KT Oslin .... one of my all-time favorites. I thought she had a beautiful voice , and was a true song writing talent. She got started late .... but man did she ever makeup for it. Her songs were just honest ...... pure ....... and again that voice. Oh and lordy-lordy those eyes. Thanks for posting !
Completely off topic but I don't feel like starting a new thread - I'm thinking strongly about trying a dating site for seniors. You folks know I'm a little nuts. Should I try to hide it at first or just go with the flow? I don't like pretending and I'm no good at it anyways. I'll post a recent pic even though I don't like the way I look these days. Sex is secondary. I want and need some female company. Ladies' comments appreciated.