Dispensas necessary?

I was just wondering when a person was widowed was a dispensa needed or is that only in the case of inter-family marriages?

Thanks,
Monica

Comment

Yes, they were required to ensure the previous spouse was indeed dead. Dispensas are a valuable tool and probably the most valuable document in a family besides Ejecutorias de Nobleza o Hidalguia, often naming several generations of one's family, others include Limpieza de Sangre. Anytime an Ultramarino (foreigner) was to marry in the americas, he/she would require to go under investigation. The audencia usually named the pretenso, parents, grandparents and if any hijosdalgo by blood existed. Another instances where dispensas would be issued would be the obvious consanguinity, where two people were too close to marry and would require a special license (dispensa) with a very nice limosna. Some other cases included issuing a divorce or seperation would require a special dispensa. A last example is when two people of very affluent status desired to marry for example the Condesa de San Mateo de Valparaiso and the Conde de la Valenciana or when people from different jurisdictions
were to married, a person of New Spain and a person of Nueva Galicia. A person from Nueva Vizcaya and the Obispado de Michoacan. Hope this gives you some insight on the value of dispensas.
I'm still looking for two dispensas one for Medina/Ramirez de Oliva from Calvillo, Ags issued in 1774 and another of my ancestor Capt. Joseph Victor Nicolas de Camino y Trasgallo as ultramarino issued in 1784. In case anyone runs into these before I do,
Daniel Mendez Camino

Thank You!

Comment

Daniel,

Thanks for the detailed information. I thought that dispensas were necessary and indeed a wealth of detailed family information. However, I have a relative who was married and widowed several times and the only information I am finding is brief mention of the deceased with indication as to where she is buried (sepultada en...) within the new marriage certificate. I have yet to find a dispensa in the time surrounding the death or marriage within the informacion matrimonial, which is why I was confused. Thanks again for the help, and I will keep my eyes open for your research in hopes of returning the favor.

Best regards,
Monica Ochoa