Sunday, April 12, 2015

Kissing Cousins

                                                         
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Thinking about running off to elope with your first cousin in Utah?  Well, that's perfectly fine if you're both sixty-five, or you could qualify if you're both fifty-five, as long as one of you can't have children. If the woman is sterile, and the husband still wants to procreate, he can become a polygamist, as long as one of his wives isn't his underage first cousin. Marrying his sister might be frowned upon in some circles, while his aunt would certainly be long past her birthing years.

According to the NCSL (National Conference of State Legislature), "Twenty five states prohibit marriages between first cousins. Six states allow first cousin marriage under certain circumstances, North Carolina allows first cousin marriage, but prohibits double cousin marriage."

The other five states have comparable laws to Utah. They include:
  • Arizona
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Maine
  • Wisconsin
Surprisingly, Illinois is more lenient by allowing both partners to be fifty or older. Some women are still able to reproduce in their early fifties. Maine's only stipulation is that each couple "obtains a physician's certificate of genetic counseling."

This brings us back to 'double cousin marriage.' As explained in Urban Dictionary, "When two sisters marry two brothers, their children have the same two sets of grandparents. Unlike most people, who have a cousin that has grandparents that you've never met; these cousins share both sets of grandparents."

If you're still interested in marrying your first cousin, and you're not quite ready to join AARP, then North Carolina is the place for you. Enjoy your legally wedded bliss with your mirrored image loved one, but if you sing off key at the reception, you just might be hauled off to jail. Although inbreeding is perfectly fine, singing off key is against the law in North Carolina.


45 comments:

  1. It's strange how different states have different rules and regulations. Yet you're in the same country. Excellent write and interesting to know what states allow "Kissing Cousins".
    Enjoy your day.

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  2. It always amazes me how different the rules are, not only from state to state in America, but around the world as a whole. Like did you know in some parts if the world public toilets don't have doors and in others they don't have toilets as we do, but instead holes they must squat over. I don't know about you, but if I had to squat to go to the loo, I probably wouldn't be getting up again lol.
    Well thats all the useless facts I have for today like. Great post and thanks for sharing.

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    1. When I was overseas, I used one of those "hole in the floor" toilets. Shouldn't have been in a bar. Because I fell.

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    2. Al - I'm sure no one noticed. It could've happened to anyone. Do they have shots for that?

      Julie

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  3. Yvonne - It is strange how the laws vary from state to state. Thanks Yvonne!

    Joss - I would definitely not be a good sport about squatting, or not having a door in a public restroom. Although going in a hole on the side of the street would be even worse. I'm glad that you shared this Joss, and they are not "useless facts."

    Julie

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    1. I almost peed in a foot wash in a rest room in Saudi Arabia. Desert Storm started a month later. Coincidence?

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  4. Hi Julie - that's an incredible set of rules and regulations and double cousins .. and and and .. honestly - I think I'll stay unmarried .. and I can't think of a cousin I'd marry ... I don't like reading rules and regulations and knowing me .. I'd read it wrong! And it definitely won't be North Carolina .. as I sing off key - I'm sure of that ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  5. Glad I don't have any first cousins to consider marrying. Interesting rules.

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  6. I can't imagine marrying a first cousin. That's just wrong.

    Precious Monsters

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  7. Double cousin marriage - I had to think about that definition for a minute, pretty funny - although its shocking there are so many laws about it, and my home state ???

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    1. I had to write it down. Good thing I don't live in North Carolina because it confused me.

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    2. Al - Good one Al! Did you have your nap today?

      Julie

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  8. I lived much of my life in North Carolina and never knew I was breaking the law every time I sang along to the car stereo! Hilarious image with the kissing cousins.

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  9. I lived much of my life in North Carolina and never knew I was breaking the law every time I sang along to the car stereo! Hilarious image with the kissing cousins.

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  10. Oh my goodness! This is funny!

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  11. Left my mind spinning with so many possibilities, such strange laws :0)

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  12. Thankfully, I am already married to someone who is not my cousin, so I won't have to keep all this straight! Cute post! :)

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  13. LOL well I'd be in jail in a heartbeat in NC as I am the worst singer on earth. I would have to keep my mouth shut there if I want to marry my cousin. .

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  14. Julie and I would be singing cellmates in NC, I'm afraid. And I don't have many cousins, first or otherwise, but just the thought of marrying one of them….no. We don't even see each other for holidays.

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  15. Ick! This just makes me cringe. I've never met any of my cousins...I guess that's a good thing. LOL!

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  16. I'm one of the lucky ones who would escape jail sentence as I sing on key!
    But no, I don't want to marry any of my cousins... and anyway it's just not right to marry somebody you're so closely related to.

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  17. if you cannot love the one you love, love the one your with... comes into my head.

    Jeremy [Retro]
    AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]

    There's no earthly way of knowing.
    Which direction we are going!

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

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  18. that's a close family. I do think there's a branch of our family tree that's a bit entwined.

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  19. Marrying cousins has nothing to do with polygamy or most of the people who live in Utah.

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  20. Fortunately for me I'm not attracted to any of my cousins. :-) However, I did discover that way, way back in our family four daughters of one family married four sons of another. Let me tell you how complicated researching that side of my ancestors has been. Now I'm worried about the same grandparent thing.

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  21. I do a lot of genealogy and the second cousins seem to marry a lot. Really, people? Are there no other options?

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  22. So, you can marry your first cousin in North Carolina, but double cousin marriage is prohibited?
    Makes sense. Why would you want to marry TWO?

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  23. Hilary - Well, you should never say never to marriage, as the right person might come along one day, but have you thought of taking up whistling?

    Natalie - Whew, that's a relief! Our family is so small that I don't even have any first cousins.

    Jolie - It's probably better not to take any chances.

    Rhonda - I also never heard of the "double cousin" law. I was also surprised that the age limit is slightly lower in Illinois.

    Arleen - I like the way you think, Arleen!

    Tamara - I'm glad a police car never pulled up next to you when a good song was on the radio! Thanks Tamara, and I appreciate the follow!

    Julie

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    1. Jerry Lee Lewis should have moved to one of those states! Interesting laws, right?

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    2. Roland - "Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire!" Lewis' 13-year-old wife was his first cousin once removed, which is better than a "double cousin," according to some state laws. Nice to see you, Roland!

      Julie

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  24. Oh-My first cousin married his first cousin years ago. Even when I was a kid (he was much older) I thought that was icky. I have never met their children but I wouldn't be surprised if they had a huge nose, freaky chin and a third eye

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  25. I think Ray Stevens had a song about that.

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  26. I have a "nephew", the son of one of my brother's several wives, who did just that. In North Carolina. There are children. I haven't seen him since he was a child.

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  27. I don't think there are any such restrictions in the UK. Hilary would know better than I.

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  28. >>... Although inbreeding is perfectly fine, singing off key is against the law in North Carolina.

    Ha! Well, then, there, now... that's a classic if I ever heard one. It also explains why Barney Fife got himself in trouble in every choir episode, and explains why Barney was just so... "Barney".

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  29. Uh oh. That off key singing thing, there goes the dream of every resident of my upstate New York State city, to retire to North Carolina. Or so it seems - even my next door neighbor moved to North Carolina last year. Some people are not going to be happy! Alana - ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  30. When I was 5 I had crushes on a couple of my cousins. Never saw them much after that so nothing romantic ever came of it.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

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  31. It is perfectly legal in Canada to marry your first cousin, no exceptions, conditions or special rules attached.

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  32. Shelly - Thanks so much, Shelly!

    Carole - I couldn't agree more!

    Daisy - Glad you planned ahead!

    Julie - Better play it safe in Ohio!

    Luanne - You don't have time to be marrying kinfolk you never see. Don't you have to finish whittling your book together. Luanne?!

    Chrys - I think it's sad that you've never met any of your cousins. Maybe you will someday.

    Michelle - I would love to hear you sing sometime, as would your many blogging fans!

    Jeremy - That has a nice ring to it!

    Joanne - Don't pick any apples off of that tree!

    Yvonne - Several states allow first cousins to marry with certain restrictions, and Utah is one of them. Polygamy is also a legal option in Utah. It's possible that in some cases the two overlap, but highly unlikely. Utah is a beautiful state, and I enjoyed visiting there.

    Lee - Just bring plenty of Purel over to their homes when you visit. I'm sure you'll be okay.

    Cherdo - I would love to hear more! Sounds like interesting fodder for a future blog post, Cherdo!

    Al - "Double your pleasure, double your fun..."

    Alex - Hahaha! Good one, Alex! North Carolina is a lovely place to live. We had a great time visiting our son there. I'm sure you have a terrific singing voice too, so you have nothing to worry about!

    Birgit - They probably look perfectly fine, though that third eye would come in handy!

    Julie

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  33. Susan - I'll be on the lookout for his song.

    Joanne - I hope that your "nephew," and his family are doing well. Apparently, it's more common than I thought.

    Jo - There definitely weren't any restrictions in the past, but things may have changed.

    Stephen - In one episode, Andy tried to have Barney whisper, because his booming voice was so powerful. He just wanted to spare his feelings, Thank goodness, Gomer eventually got the solo instead. I would love to see Steve Buscemi play Barney in a remake! Thanks for this fun blast from the past, Stephen!

    Bookworm - As long as they're not disturbing the peace, they should be okay!

    Lee - I always knew you were a perfect gentleman! Thanks for hosting another successful A to Z, Lee! It's really been fun, and I truly appreciate that you stopped by, as I know how busy you've been.

    Elizabeth - My thoughts exactly!

    Debra - It's aboot time, eh?! I didn't know that, Debra. Thanks!

    Julie

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  34. oh my...more info that I think I needed! Hilarious- especially the photo! Thankls for hopping over to my blog! Cheers!

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