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Ancestry Daily News
3/26/2002 - Archive
Marriage Licenses
Before 1837, most English marriages took place in the parish church,
following the publication of banns (the announcement in church on three successive
Sundays), or by license. There were two proper ways to get married, by banns
or by license. If the couple obtained a marriage license from one of the ecclesiastical
offices, banns (the announcement in church on three successive Sundays) were
not required. The English Parish Record CDs hold a number of collections of
marriage license bonds and allegations.
To introduce you to the subject, I am going to examine one entry within the
Cheshire sources. It comes from the records of marriage bonds of the Archdeaconry
of Chester.
"30 Mar. Daniel Barrow of Ness co Chester Agric, and Martha Yaxon of Ness, co
Chester, Spins. Bondsmen Daniel Barrow aforesaid and John Rowland of the city
of Chester, Agric. Wit. Edward Roberts. At Neston or Shotwick."
Daniel and Martha are both from Ness; so, the first questions are why marry
by license at all and why get married elsewhere, at Neston or Shotwick?
People obtained a marriage license for many reasons, most commonly to avoid
the wait through the reading of the banns, to avoid the publicity of the announcement,
and to reflect social superiority. For the better off, the gentry and nobility,
marriage by license was usual; to them it was inappropriate to call for objections
from all and sundry, especially the laboring classes.
As for marrying in a different place, in this case it probably is because Ness
is a township, not a parish. It lies within the parish of Neston, which explains
why this is one location for the marriage. Shotwick is not far, a few miles
in the opposite direction, going towards the city of Chester.
This record is actually of a marriage bond. In fact, hardly any licenses survive
because the license was given to the groom to present to the officiating minister.
The allegation was a statement made on oath that both parties to the union were
over the age of twenty-one (or they supplied the proper permission) and that
there was no known impediment. The bond, required until 1823, was a sum of money
to be forfeit if any part of the allegation were false. Allegations and bonds
are found in county record offices, or in published copies. Many have been transcribed
and/or indexed.
The term 'Agric' is an abbreviation of the Latin word 'agricola' meaning farmer
or husbandman. The bondsman, John Rowland, is likely a relation or friend of
the groom; and the witness could be anyone.
This record is actually of a marriage bond. In fact hardly any licenses survive
because the license was given to the groom to present to the officiating minister.
The allegation was a statement made on oath that both parties to the union were
over the age of twenty-one (or they supplied the proper permission) and that
there was no known impediment. The bond, required until 1823, was a sum of money
to be forfeit if any part of the allegation were false. Allegations and bonds
are found in county record offices, or in published copies. Many have been transcribed
and/or indexed.
The license was obtained from the office of the Archdeacon of Chester and it
was the most basic type. Licenses could also be obtained from the office of
the bishop of the diocese, or, going up the scale, from the office of the archbishop
of York or Canterbury. The archbishop's administrative official was called a
vicar general. The Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury issued licenses
that could be valid for a marriage anywhere in England or Wales.
Marriage license bonds and allegations can be useful sources whether or not
the record of the marriage has been found. In fact, where the entry in the parish
register notes that a marriage was 'by license' be sure to look for it. Remember
too, that a search for a missing marriage is not finished unless the appropriate
marriage license records have been consulted. Admittedly it is a record only
of the intent to marry, but where parish registers and bishops' transcripts
are missing, this is preferable to no record at all.
For further information on marriage by license look for books by Lawrence Stone,
in particular The Road to Divorce, England 1530--1987 (Oxford, 1990);
or visit the Society of Genealogists Web site at: www.sog.org.uk
and look under 'Library' and 'projects.' The Lambeth Palace Library, where the
original records relating to licenses issued by the offices of the Archbishop
of Canterbury are held, can be found at: www.lambethpalacelibrary.org
Sherry Irvine, CGRS, FSA (Scot) has been researching her British ancestry
for thirty years. She founded Interlink Bookshop and Genealogical Services (www.interlinkbookshop.com)
in 1988; she currently lectures in Canada and the United States and is president
of the Association of Professional Genealogists. You can e-mail Sherry with
suggestions for future British genealogy articles atsherryirvine55@myfamily.com.
She will not be able to send personal replies, but will feature some questions
in upcoming issues of the Ancestry Daily News. Sherry also regrets that
she is unable to assist with personal research.
Sherry is also the author of:
Your Scottish Ancestry: A Guide for North Americans
www.ancestry.com/rd/prodredir.asp?sourceid=831&key=P1046
Your English Ancestry: A Guide for North Americans
www.ancestry.com/rd/prodredir.asp?sourceid=831&key=P1045
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