On Palm Readers, Fortune Tellers, Blackbirds, Crows and Odd Marriage Laws

In New Orleans it is illegal for palm readers and fortune tellers to officiate a wedding according to Alexandra Gekas' Woman's Day article, 10 Obscure Marriage Laws in the U.S. Perhaps, Kentucky should require couples to see a palm reader or fortune teller before getting hitched because in that state it is illegal to remarry the same man four times. Now, how did that law get on the books?

Two more unusual matrimonial laws from the article: In South Carolina it is illegal for a man over 16 years old to propose marriage and not mean it. Not even if drunk? No word on what the penalty for violating that law is. And in Truro, Massachusetts, a groom-to-be must "prove himself manly'" prior to marriage by hunting and killing either six blackbirds or three crows. No word on whether blackbirds and crows have adapted their behavior patterns to avoid being proof of manliness.

Oh yes, I read Woman's Day regularly ... hat tip to Family Law Prof Blog. [JH]