Name: GTAGS Membership Meeting (Open to the Public)
Start: 2025-10-23T13:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-10-23T15:00:00-04:00
Location: Traverse Area District Library Woodmere

GTAGS Membership Meeting (Open to the Public)

Marriage by Blacksmith - Gretna Green Marriages
Presented by Madeline Yanov
In this lively presentation, Madeline Yanov explores the history and legend of Gretna Green, a small Scottish village known for its runaway weddings. For centuries, couples seeking to marry quickly, or without parental consent, fled across the border to Scotland, where the laws were more lenient.
Learn how blacksmiths became famous for forging more than horseshoes, and why Gretna Green holds a special place in the hearts (and records!) of many family historians. You’ll also discover how to trace these marriages and what clues they may leave behind in your research.
This program is perfect for anyone curious about marriage records, legal loopholes, or the romantic rebels in your family tree.