Legislation introduced in England and Wales in 1754 was generally interpreted to mean that someone under the age of 21 needed the consent of their father, guardian or widowed mother if they wished to marry. They could avoid this restriction by marrying at Gretna Green in the Scottish county of Dumfriesshire, as Scottish law permitted marriage from the age of 16 without parental consent.
Until 1940, marriages at Gretna could be conducted by someone other than an ordained church minister.
Marriages at Gretna are included in the records at Scotland – Marriages, and from 1855 at Scotland – Marriage registrations.
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