Lisa Louise Cooke
Episode 24: Marriage Records: Have You Found Them All?
So far in this podcast series you’ve already made a lot of progress. You’ve set up your genealogy database, talked to your relatives, gotten familiar with the Family History Centers and you have your research worksheet to lead you in your investigation backwards in time, through death records and the census.
In today’s episode we’re going to continue working backwards down the records aisle looking for Marriage Records. Marriage records are part of the record group called Vital Records, and they can be a rich source of genealogical information.
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Transcript
MARRIAGE RECORDS
Marriage records, like death and birth records (which we’ll be covering in an upcoming episode) are primary sources which means that the record was completed at the event or very close to it by someone who was present at the event. That means it’s a pretty reliable source.
There are two type of marriage records – civil records which are recorded with the local government, usually at the county level - and church records if indeed the marriage took place in a church. In this first segment let’s talk about civil records
Civil Marriage Records
First let’s talk about where you’re going to be obtaining these records. You need to determine where the marriage took place in order to figure out the proper civil authorities to contact. Usually that’s the clerk in the town, county, district or parish where the happy couple said I Do. In the U.S. chances are it was at the county level, but if you’re not sure, do a Google search on the name of the county and the phrase vital records. Chances are one of the first search results will be a link to the website for that county and hopefully the specific page that will tell you how to request vital records. There you should find specific instructions about how to make the request and any fees involved.
I have three tips for you:
Tip #1: Be sure and follow the instructions to the letter because otherwise you will likely have your request returned to you unfilled and asking for more information which just wastes time.
Tip #2: As with Death Records, it isn’t necessary to order a certified copy because you are not using it for legal reasons, just information reasons. Certified copies cost more and usually have more requirements to applying for them.
Tips #3 Request a complete photo copy (which is sometimes referred to as a LONG FORM) rather than a SHORT FORM which can be a brief transcription of the record.
If all this sounds cumbersome there is an easier to request marriage records and that is through Vitalcheck.com and I’ll have that web link for you on the web page for this episode. While it costs more you can order the records quickly and easily online.
If you’re looking for civil records in England or Wales, those records have been officially recorded by local District Registrars who reported to the General Registrar Office since July 1, 1837. These records are probably easiest to access, particularly if you are not in the UK through the website findmypast.com which does charge a fee for each record.
Types of Civil Records:
- Marriage Application - I can’t guarantee they’re available in every county, but it’s definitely worth asking!
- Marriage license - This record often holds the most genealogical value. It will include their names, ages, residences as well as perhaps their race, occupation, age, and perhaps their parents names.
- Marriage Register record
- Marriage Certificate - While this record is part of the process it isn’t available through the vital records office. It would have been kept by the couple and will involve some looking around and asking relatives to see if it still exists.
Tip: A marriage license alone does not prove a marriage. A couple could easily apply for a license but never go through with the big day.
Church Records
I think just about the best place to start looking is at the Family history Library:
1) Go to familysearch.org website
2) Click on the Library tab
3) Click Library Catalog
4) Click PLACE search
5) Look for Church Records and Church History
Other places to look:
The church if it still exists: Search for their website. Contact the church office and ask if they have records for the time period you’re looking for. If they no longer have the records ask where they are being archived.
The closest local public library - ask to talk to the reference desk.
Search the WorldCat catalog at worldcat.org
The US Gen Web site - for the state and county where the marriage occurred:
1) Go to www.usgenweb.org
2) In the left column click on the state
3) Click the county
4) These sites are run by volunteers and each county has a different variety of records and resources available.
The local genealogy or and historical societies.
Banns of Marriage Record
Look for a record of the banns in the church minutes – which is why the church history results we got with our search in the Family History Library catalogue were of interest to us as well as the actual church registers. Sometimes you can also find them listed in church bulletins.
Newspaper Records
A secondary source that you won’t want to miss, is newspaper marriage announcements.
Tip: Keep in mind when you’re searching a database and you find a listing for what appears to be the right family in the right area but the date is way off, be sure and check it out because it just may be a republishing of the news you were looking for!
