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To: njw@bevcomm.net (Nicholas Weerts)
Subject: Common law marriage
From: lena@transport.COM (Lena Hurst)
Cc: Roots-L@rootsweb.com
Sender: roots-in@rootsweb.com

The second "husband" probably collected social security benefits because
Social Security as well as other government entities will many times
recognize what is called a common law marriage.  Many state have set laws
that say that two people who cohabitate as man and wife for a certain number
of years (usually 7 to 10) are in the eyes of government for all intents and
purposes married.