This came from one of my lists. I'm not sure which one as the sender
suppressed the recipients, so I apologize if this is a duplicate post.
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2002 10:02 PM
Subject: Out-of-state marriages for Illinois couples
Although this item appeared in the Peoria, IL, Journal Star on 4 Nov
2002,
I feel that it contains information that may be important to all Illinois
researchers who have looked in vain for a particular ancestral
marriage. The item appeared in Bill Adams column, for which he combs old
newspapers to scout out interesting, unusual and unique stories. This one
carried a date of November 4, 1939.
"Nearly half the couples to whom marriage licenses were issued at
Burlington, Iowa, during October were from Peoria and vicinity, it was
reported.
There were 78 licenses issued, and 35 of the number went to persons living
near Peoria. During the same month, only 69 were issued in Peoria
County. Desire to avoid the eight-day waiting period and the pure
marriage
law is given as the reason for marriages of many Illinois couples in
Iowa."
NOTE: As the marriage laws were statewide, I am sure that these
circumstances existed in many counties. If a couple lived not to far from
the state line other states might also have hosted many Illinois
marriages. So, depending upon the place of residence, one might look in
border counties in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin as well as
Iowa.
Hope that this will help many researchers knock down a few brick walls.
Jane Kuck