A verboden graad means “forbidden degree.” You will usually encounter this in marriage records, if the bride and groom received dispensation for being too closely related. This could mean that they were blood relatives, or relatives-by-marriage. You can also encounter the term in requests for dispensation to the civil or ecclesiastical courts, or the King and Queen (in later times). Read more about royal dispensations.
Hendrik Woordes and Janna Geertruid Droppers, who received marriage dispensation because he was the widower of her sister. Personal collection of Yvette Hoitink.
About Yvette Hoitink
