Marriage in The Early Twentieth Century Ottoman society: The Sample of The Si̇nop wedding book (1919-1923)

In this study, the institution of marriage, which has an important place in Ottoman society, is evaluated through the example of the Sinop marriage registry. First of all, the steps of forming the family are explained in detail. From the engagement, which is the first step to marriage, the making of the marriage contract and principal information on these issues are included. This work also mentions the marriage methods, the marriage contract, involuntary marriages, and marriages with non Muslims in Ottoman society. The positive consequences of the marriage, the responsibilities of spouses towards each other, rights, and obligations such as mahr and alimony are discussed. In addition, the cases where the marriage resulted in separation were discussed, and in this context, the divorces through talaq, muhâlaa, and tafrîq and their consequences were explained. Sinop Sher'iyye Registry Book was analyzed in terms of form and content. The effects of marriage rate, age of marriage, mahr, divorce and remarriage rates, and socio-cultural life on the institution of marriage were analyzed. Considering the war conditions of the period, how the institution of marriage might have been affected was evaluated.