This week’s #FridayFind is a marriage fraud!

On September 27th, 1908, Anton de Mercurio took Rosa de Mercurio to be his lawfully wedded wife…or did he?

According to the couple’s marriage certificate issued by their church, they were. But in 1908 (and today), first cousins couldn’t marry in the state of Missouri. To avoid going to Kentucky where it was legal at the time, the cousins told their priest they had been married in Italy before immigrating. Thus, they secured a marriage certificate, but no license! The fine for such a deception was $500 (or more than $17,000 in today’s money)!

Need help discovering why your ancestor’s wedding license is missing? Email us at emma@backlog-archivists.com!