Library Forum

Hi Folks,

just wondering how unusual (if at all) was it for a couple to have two male witnesses at their wedding . I always assumed that there had to be a male and a female as witnesses but I've come across a couple of instances now where both were male. Is this unusual? And if so under what circumstances?

Thanks

darren

Hi Darren,

I just finished transcribing Scariff Marriages (316) and yes, common to have two male or two female witnesses. In one case I found one male and two female witnesses recorded. I will put all of the unusual ones here:

Marriages of:
- Michl White to Anne Minogue (23 APR 1855) w/witnesses John White & Miles ODonnell
- Michl Walsh to Mary Sheridan (24 JAN 1858) w/witnesses Bat Sheridan & John Coffee
- Edward OFarrell to Margaret Fitzpatrick (27 OCT 1862) w/witnesses Patt Carey, Miss Wallnutt & Miss Mary Ml Skehan

Some weddings recorded with no witnesses recorded at all, and probably 5 or 6 of those of this 316.

I don't know why but perhaps just to fill in when one person didn't make it.

All the best,

Daren,

I have look at many Irish marriage records civil and church and have found two males listed as witnesses. I have noticed in a few cases that the witnesses names were the same names as the father's of the Bride and Groom.

I don't know if this is just a coincidence. With such large families brothers of the married couples would have the same first names.

Slan,
Kevin J. O'Brien

That's great. Thanks guys.

Darren

Hi! Newbie here.

Was it generally family that appeared as witnesses at weddings and as sponsors at baptisms?

Hello newbie, yes it was very common to have family members witnessing the weddings from the records I have seen.

Thank you Jim

Just another piece of the puzzle.

I have two male witnesses at my GGF's wedding btw