The cost of a marriage Licence, whether it be in pounds, shillings and pence or in my case $$$ [dollars], 2 of the vows are "In sickness and in health" and "Until death us do part".

These vows we made as a solemn promise in front of family, friends and others who were 'unamed' witnesses to our commitment to each other.

Many of our ancestors had hard lives - children being buried at a young age and the death of a spouse. There were no income benefits so when a job was lost another one was found. When the rent was due and no money was available, the family did a 'moonlit flit' and found a place to live by their own abillity. The man got a job somewhere, his wife had another child and life went on. They couldn't afford a divorce and the idea of the workhouse was abhorrent. They stayed together until the kids married [or died] and when one partner died, the likelihood was that the surviving partner died in the workhouse, the body was claimed by 'friends' and the location of burial is difficult to find.

Given our 'easy come, easy go,' attitude of today, the values on 'life and commitment' have disappeared. The 'good old days' are long gone and the folks today couldn't stomache what our ancestors had to put up with.

This is not a critciism of today's generation but an observation. I truly believe our ancestors, wherever they may be buried, are turning in their graves as to how the lives of their descendants have evolved.

Colin