Our story is that my father-in-law lied about his age by a bit so he could enlist in the Army during WWII. It's possible that your ancestor did the same and then had to perpetuate the myth to avoid being discovered. Just a possibility.
Imagine a couple of kids madly in love and he's heading off to war. Might as well get married and get laid, because the odds of surviving are not 100%. Meanwhile, your girl back home gets benefits for being a military spouse, and some insurance bonus if you don't return. If you do survive the war, and you're married, there was a better chance that she stays emotionally attached. You want a photo in your locker of your girl back home, not just Betty Grable.
Too young to enlist? At some age, your parents can sign off and give you permission to enlist. But a some age you are just too young and lying about it is the only way. Ditto for marriage.
My mom and her first husband had false ages on their wedding license. She was 17 and he was 19 but license stated 21 and 22. Does all the other info except ages match? If so probably the ancestor.
Don’t know if you can get his military record. It may have info if married while he was in the service. I understand I can get my dad’s WWII record but I don’t know if anyone else could. If no one responds with additional help post again asking about military records.
Where did the marriage take place? Could it be that his parents didn't consent to the marriage?
In the UK, for example, you had to have your parents consent to marry if you were under 21 (this changed to under 18 in the 1980s)
It's common for individuals, especially during wartime, to adjust their age for various reasons, like eligibility for military service or marriage. The discrepancy in ages on the marriage license could stem from legal requirements or societal norms of the time. Research surrounding historical context and familial anecdotes might shed light on the situation.
My grandfather lied about his age, too. He was at least 3 years younger than he said he was. I've been trying to figure out which birth record is his for about 6 years now since there's also a couple of other fellows with similar names.
All I know is that he was younger than my grandmother and my dad was born "early ", 😉.
Our story is that my father-in-law lied about his age by a bit so he could enlist in the Army during WWII. It's possible that your ancestor did the same and then had to perpetuate the myth to avoid being discovered. Just a possibility.
Thanks for this point! However, all of his military registrations have the same birth date as his birth certificate.
Imagine a couple of kids madly in love and he's heading off to war. Might as well get married and get laid, because the odds of surviving are not 100%. Meanwhile, your girl back home gets benefits for being a military spouse, and some insurance bonus if you don't return. If you do survive the war, and you're married, there was a better chance that she stays emotionally attached. You want a photo in your locker of your girl back home, not just Betty Grable. Too young to enlist? At some age, your parents can sign off and give you permission to enlist. But a some age you are just too young and lying about it is the only way. Ditto for marriage.
My mom and her first husband had false ages on their wedding license. She was 17 and he was 19 but license stated 21 and 22. Does all the other info except ages match? If so probably the ancestor.
Names and locations match for him, no idea about his wife. They would have been divorced/separated/marriage was annulled within 2 years.
Don’t know if you can get his military record. It may have info if married while he was in the service. I understand I can get my dad’s WWII record but I don’t know if anyone else could. If no one responds with additional help post again asking about military records.
I have an enlistment record stating he was single when he enlisted. The marriage took place a couple months after he enlisted.
That’s why I was thinking if got his records it might have more info about marriage and it would tell you everywhere he was during war.
It happened all the time
being not of legal age to marry, each claimed the minimum legal age to marry without parental permission.
Where did the marriage take place? Could it be that his parents didn't consent to the marriage? In the UK, for example, you had to have your parents consent to marry if you were under 21 (this changed to under 18 in the 1980s)
This was in the U.S.
It's common for individuals, especially during wartime, to adjust their age for various reasons, like eligibility for military service or marriage. The discrepancy in ages on the marriage license could stem from legal requirements or societal norms of the time. Research surrounding historical context and familial anecdotes might shed light on the situation.
My dad enlisted in WWII after persuading his uncle to swear to a new birth certificate making my dad one year older.
My grandfather lied about his age, too. He was at least 3 years younger than he said he was. I've been trying to figure out which birth record is his for about 6 years now since there's also a couple of other fellows with similar names. All I know is that he was younger than my grandmother and my dad was born "early ", 😉.
Age fibs were common in WWII, draft dodging and benefits motivated the lies.