When was it made illegal in the UK for first cousins to marry?

Question

I thought it had been sort of "forever", but I just discovered that my great X2 grandmother Charlotte Monypenny was engaged to marry her first cousin Robert Honywood Monypenny. Robert died before they got married; and Charlotte married my great X2 grandfather (Rev. Henry Doyle Sewell) instead.

Two of Charlotte's sisters did actually marry first cousins. This was during the first half of the 19th century in Kent. I have the details shown at http://www.robertsewell.ca/monypenny.html#robert

When did it become illegal in the UK for first cousins to marry?

Answer 1

UK answer.

Have a look at this long list I have found for you, it's called forbidden marriages in the UK.

http://www.genetic-genealogy.co.uk/Toc11...

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It's not illegal. It was normal practice up to 100 years ago. I have about 6 instances in my family tree of first cousin marriages.

I'm not saying it was NEVER illegal, but it used to be legal, and it's still legal today, so I assume it's always been that way. Having said that, it may not be illegal in England; but it has become a social taboo, which means people tend to frown upon these marriages today.

Perhaps it's illegal in other parts of the UK, ie Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

Answer 3

I don't think it is illegal. (it probably should be though, because it majorly increases the possibility of birth defects)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/ne...