Hi,
I am trying to locate information on a couple who married in Blackford
County 15 March 1857. The names are Elvira or Elvina SIMPSON and the
groom is George E. WILCOX.
This couple then disappears from records until March of 1868 when George
E. WILCOX performed two marriages in Blackford County. Then they
disappear again.
This has led me to a few question: What qualified George E. WILCOX to
perform a marriage? Who could perform marriages in Blackford County?
He would have had to have been either a clergyman of some type or else a
political figure such as a Justice of the Peace or a Judge wouldn't he?
Can clergymen, J.P.'s, Judges, etc. perform marriages outside their
areas of jurisdiction? In order to perform marriages outside the areas
of their jurisdiction, would they have to get permission.
Wouldn't you know it, the marriage records of those people do not give
any clues to George's qualifications to perform marriages.
I would sure like to find where George and Elvira or Elvina disappeared
to. As far as that goes I would like to find some record of Elvira's
half brother Francis C. Simpson.
Would appreciate input into this dilemma.
Marla
blarson(a)ubtanet.com