Marriage 1936 style

Romance in the air

Looking back once more at my mother's family, the 1930s decade was awash with weddings. Shortly before the 1933 wedding of her eldest sister Mary, the next in line Margaret Monica O'Dea announced her engagement to James Barry. Margaret Monica had been born in Hamley Bridge, South Australia on 4 May 1910 to parents Patrick and Georgina O'Dea. James Peter Barry was the son of Thomas Benedict and Johannah Barry. He was three years older than Margaret.

O'DEA - BARRY. - The engagement is announced of Margaret Monica, second daughter of Mrs. G. E. O'Dea, of Hamley Bridge, and the late Mr. P. J. O'Dea. of Pinnaroo, to James Peter, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Barry, No. 2. Frobisher avenue. Flinders Park.₁

It was almost three years before their wedding took place in 1936. The depression years had taken their toll and for a young couple the challenges of saving for a marriage and obtaining some household goods would have been difficult. In December of 1936 this report of their wedding appeared in the Southern Cross, South Australia's Catholic weekly newspaper.

O'DEA—BARRY WEDDING.

L to R: James Ryan, James (Jim) Barry, Margaret O'Dea, Hannah O'Dea

Marriage Solemnised at Hamley Bridge.

At St. Mary's Church, Hamley Bridge, on November 3, the marriage was solemnised of Margaret Monica, second daughter of Mrs. G. E. O'Dea, Hamley Bridge, to James Peter Barry, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Barry, Flinders Park, by the Rev. Father Farrelly. The bride, who entered the church on the arm of her brother, Jack, was gowned in white marocain, with lace yoke, and insets of lace in the full sleeves. The skirt, which had godets of fine pleats, merged into a train. She wore an embroidered tulle veil, which formed a long train, lent by Mrs. D. Healy, and carried a bouquet of pink and white rosebuds.

Miss Hannah O'Dea, sister of the bride, was bridesmaid. She was frocked in apple green floral georgette, made tunic style, featuring high neckline and long sleeves. A green picture hat, and shoes to match completed her toilette. She carried a bouquet of pink rosebuds.

Mr. James Ryan (cousin of the bridegroom) was best man. Little Therese Conley (bride's niece), Monnie Bennett, and Keith Martin, hung horseshoes on the bride's arm, on leaving the Church.

Prior to the marriage, the bride was tendered a kitchen evening in the Druids' Hall, by her many friends. Mr. S. Casaretto thanked those present on behalf of the guest.₂

Further notes

The photo is one from our family collection and as well as the bride and groom has a lovely picture of my mother Hannah who in November of 1936 was 24 years old. At this stage she was engaged to Eddie Horgan and their marriage followed shortly after in April of 1937.

James (Uncle Jim) died in July 1974 and Margaret (Auntie Marg) lived for another 25 years until her death in January 2000. They are buried together in the Murray Bridge cemetery.

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1. 1933 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 18 February, p. 14. , viewed 12 Aug 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article41468474
2. 1936 'Family Notices', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 4 December, p. 12. , viewed 12 Aug 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167081559

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin