Finding Marriage RecordsMarriage records are important, as from them you can find out the woman's name at the time of marriage, and often other details, like whether the bride or groom were married before, and their ages. The main source for marriage records include:
The wedding of Margaret Watkins and Eric James at St Michael's Church, Louth, Lincolnshire, in August 1935.
Marriage CertificatesThere's a different system for people married in England and Wales from those married in Scotland. You may also want to consider people who married overseas.
1) Marriage certificates in England or Wales...In 1836, an Act of Parliament was passed that led to the General Register Office being established to record marriages (and also births and deaths) in England and Wales. Recording began on 1 July 1837. Marriage certificates give vital information for genealogists.Did your ancestor have a marriage certificate? a) My ancestor was married before 1 July 1837 Tip Marriage certificates give the names of the bride and groom's parents. Therefore, even if your ancestor was married before 1837, they may have siblings who were married later. It may then be worth sending for their marriage certificates. Tip b) My ancestor was married after 1 July 1837 Then they should have a marriage certificate. You can't see the original registers, so first you must search the free marriage record indexes to find your ancestor, and then send off for the certificate. Getting a free marriage record reference from an index for a marriage certificate is similar to finding birth and death certificates, and is described in the separate BMD certificate section.
Example of a marriage certificate - this one is for Frank Boxall and Mary Gertrude Watkins. 2) Marriage certificates in Scotland...a) My ancestor married before 1 January 1855This is too early for them to have a marriage certificate, so try the parish registers. b) My ancestor married after 1 January 1855
For people married in Scotland, the best place to go to find marriage certificates is www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk.
3) Ancestors married overseas...For more information, see the separate section on overseas marriage records, or click on the Overseas BMDs button on the navigation bar on the left.Church RecordsFor marriages prior to 1837 in England and Wales (or 1855 in Scotland), the first place to go is the parish register. Information in these marriage records varies depending on when your ancestor married.Tip Even if your ancestor married after 1837, I often consult the church register. Bear in mind that marriage certificates cost a minimum of £7. By comparison, church registers usually contain the same information, but provide a virtually free marriage record. Search the registers at a local record office, or LDS centre. Sometimes you also get different or extra information in the parish register. Finding a church record for a marriage is similar to finding birth and burial entries, and is described in a separate section (that I've yet to write!).
NewspapersPeople often put notices in the local paper announcing a marriage. I've found my ancestors tend to place marriage notices more often than birth notices. The information contained varies, but often includes other relatives, not just the people getting married.Example My great grandparents helpfully had a very full notice. "On the 9th inst, at St John's Church, Birkenhead, by the Rev P. L. Sandberg, the incumbent, FREDERICK WATKINS, Esq, second son of Capt C R W Watkins, and nephew of Major Watkins, of Her Majesty's East Indian Army, to SUSANNAH WELLS, youngest daughter of CHARLES KING of Sudbury Suffolk Esq. No cards." Source: The Times, 12 July 1864. Don't believe all you read, though. Captain C R W Watkins was described as a major just five years later (see below), when his youngest son got married in New Zealand. In truth, he had left the army under a cloud thirty years before. Example "On June 27, at St. Paul's, Auckland, by the Ven. Archdeacon Lloyd, Arthur John Henry, fifth son of Major Charles Watkins, Lewes, Sussex, to Harriet, relict of the late W Spiering, of this city - Home papers please copy." Source: The Southern Cross, 28 June 1869
More information about finding information in newspapers.
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