How many marriages does the Federal Government officiate in?

I personally have never heard of a Federal marriage ceremony. :shrug: If the Feds do not issue marriage licenses what is their bitch? I thought Republicans were strong on "State's Rights"

And if they can discriminate along the way, so much better for the rabid base.

Just had to post in solidarity. Changed my avatar for the protest! BTW, I often participate in Harris Polls and maybe 5-6 times over the past few years at the end of a survey there is a section that asks, "Do you have any (1) gay family members? (2) gay co-workers? (3) gay friends?" and maybe another couple of choices along those lines. Of course I do, and so does everyone else whether they know it or not. I am reminded of the 2000 Repuglian convention where the Texas delegation took off their cartoon 50 gallon cowboy hats in protest to having to listen to the only avowed gay speaker at the convention. I remember thinking, "you'll never be able to wear those stupid hats again if you are only planning to wear them where gays & lesbians AREN'T. Hope this is not too far off topic.

More love, less hate. Peace.

On Edit: Dang! My avatar didn't change into the pink triangle!

care about marriage until 1880's at which time it became a vital statistic. (birth, marriage & death) Individual churches issued marriage certificates, recorded baptisms and deaths of congregation members of those who might have paid a fee to the church for the service. So when fee's were charged local or state governments began issuing civil marriage bonds. Mostly large cities did this although in the 1847-50 period smaller towns & villages started to record vital stats but the practice fell off. The only issue of marriage the Feds was concerned about was in the census & income tax rolls.


http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/rg/guide/New_York18.asp#vital_records