The information contained in a marriage record can be a plethora of genealogical material or a barren wasteland of no more than you already knew.
Or somewhere in between.
It depends upon what type of record you are looking at. Marriage record types, especially early marriage record types, varied greatly from religion to religion, state to state and even county to county.
People are often disappointed to find a woman’s parents’ names aren’t listed on that marriage record they searched so hard to find. It can be disappointing when the marriage certificate doesn’t have the information you seek. However, a marriage certificate isn’t the only type of marriage record available. A marriage license or minister’s return may have more information.
Types of historical civil marriage records, their availability, and information contained therein will be the topics of the next few posts. Today’s post will focus primarily on marriage bonds and marriage consents.
Used well into the 19th century, the marriage bond was the civil version, so to speak of the marriage bann. Banns were church announcements of two people’s intent to marry. They were usually read aloud and may have also been printed and posted. Banns were typically “cried” for the three weeks leading up to the ceremony. The purpose wasn’t to give everyone time to get to Macy’s to buy a good gift. It was to give anyone who knew of a legal reason the two betrothed could not marry time to come forward with it. Some legal reasons included:
Or somewhere in between.
It depends upon what type of record you are looking at. Marriage record types, especially early marriage record types, varied greatly from religion to religion, state to state and even county to county.
People are often disappointed to find a woman’s parents’ names aren’t listed on that marriage record they searched so hard to find. It can be disappointing when the marriage certificate doesn’t have the information you seek. However, a marriage certificate isn’t the only type of marriage record available. A marriage license or minister’s return may have more information.
Types of historical civil marriage records, their availability, and information contained therein will be the topics of the next few posts. Today’s post will focus primarily on marriage bonds and marriage consents.
Used well into the 19th century, the marriage bond was the civil version, so to speak of the marriage bann. Banns were church announcements of two people’s intent to marry. They were usually read aloud and may have also been printed and posted. Banns were typically “cried” for the three weeks leading up to the ceremony. The purpose wasn’t to give everyone time to get to Macy’s to buy a good gift. It was to give anyone who knew of a legal reason the two betrothed could not marry time to come forward with it. Some legal reasons included:
- one or both parties were not of legal age to marry and lacked consent
- too close consanguineous kin
- one or both parties were legally married to other people
In colonial America, banns were required and failure to announce them could result in a fine for the minister or the groom.
As time passed civil marriage requirements gradually replaced the banns; churches made banns optional or did away with them completely.
Enter the marriage bond.
It was a promise from the groom, usually to the governor, or early on to the state, that there were no legal impediments to prevent the impending marriage. The promise was backed by a surety, typically a close friend or family member of either the groom or bride. The amount of the bond was usually high, but would only be paid in the event there was a legal reason for the marriage NOT to take place.
A marriage bond is a record of intent, not proof that a marriage actually took place. Both the bann and the bond were the early versions of, “...speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Information contained in a marriage bond varies, but from the example below you learn:
As time passed civil marriage requirements gradually replaced the banns; churches made banns optional or did away with them completely.
Enter the marriage bond.
It was a promise from the groom, usually to the governor, or early on to the state, that there were no legal impediments to prevent the impending marriage. The promise was backed by a surety, typically a close friend or family member of either the groom or bride. The amount of the bond was usually high, but would only be paid in the event there was a legal reason for the marriage NOT to take place.
A marriage bond is a record of intent, not proof that a marriage actually took place. Both the bann and the bond were the early versions of, “...speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Information contained in a marriage bond varies, but from the example below you learn:
- name of the groom (Abraham Armstrong)
- name of the surety (Seth Goodwine)
- where and to whom the bond was made (Kentucky to Governor Garrard)
- the amount of the bond (fifty pounds)
- date of the bond (1 January 1799)
- name of the bride (Elizabeth Goodwine)
- name of the father of the bride (John Goodwine)
- name of the witness to the bond (Wm ?aldwell)
Not all bonds name the father of the bride. But, if the bride was a minor, consent would need to be presented with the bond, and that is where you might find the father or guardian’s name. In some locales you will find the consent with the bond; in others, they are separate.
From the example below you learn:
From the example below you learn:
- name of the groom (Abraham Armstrong)
- name of the bride (Elizabeth Goodwine)
- date of the consent (1 January 1799)
- name of the father of the bride (John Goodwine)
- name of the witnesses to the consent (Johnnathan bidle & William lockart)
Sometimes, you learn the mother’s name! I know this because “Lyle” [Lī-lē—short for Delilah] was my great-great grandmother:
Further confirming this is Thomas Dunsmore’s consent to the marriage. In it, he not only named the bride and groom, but the bride’s mother as well. In addition, the clerk who received the consent gave his title which included the locale: Monroe County.
Keep in mind that banns, bonds and consents only show intent. While they are not proof a marriage actually took place, they can provide additional clues about the life of your progenitor such as where they lived, and with whom they associated.
Next week we’ll take a look at applications and licenses which also indicate intent.
Next week we’ll take a look at applications and licenses which also indicate intent.