Picking The Right Marriage Records
It’s a well-known fact that marriage records can give you a wealth of information about your ancestors. From birth and death dates to maiden names and occupation, these records can offer a fascinating glimpse into your family’s past.
But with so many marriage records available, how do you know which ones to choose? Here are some tips to help you pick the right marriage records for your genealogy research.
Start with what you know
The first step in selecting marriage records is to start with what you already know about your ancestors. Make a list of all the marriages you are aware of and try to gather as much information as possible about those couples. This will help you to identify the right records to search for.
For example, if you know that your great-grandparents were married in a specific county or state, you can begin by searching for those records. If you don’t have that information, try to identify the location where the couple lived, since that may help you narrow down your search.
Look for multiple sources
When looking for marriage records, it’s important to consult multiple sources. Don’t rely solely on one website or database – instead, use a variety of resources to gather as much information as possible.
Some of the best resources for marriage records include:
- Courthouse records: These contain the actual marriage licenses and certificates, and may also provide additional details such as the parents’ names and occupation.
- Church records: Many religious institutions keep marriage records, which may include details such as the couple’s religion, the name of the priest or minister who performed the ceremony, and the names of the witnesses.
- Online databases: There are numerous online databases that offer access to marriage records. Some of the most popular include Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and FindMyPast.
- Family records: Don’t forget to consult any family records you may have, such as family bibles, photo albums, and diaries. These may contain valuable information that can help you in your search.
Check for alternate spellings and name variations
One of the challenges of searching for marriage records is that names may be spelled differently or appear in different variations. For example, your ancestor’s first name may be recorded as “William” in one record and “Will” in another. Similarly, your ancestor’s surname may be spelled differently in different records.
To ensure that you’re finding all the records for your ancestors, it’s important to check for these variations. Try searching using different spellings of the name or different variations of a first name or nickname. You may be surprised at what you find.
Don’t assume anything
Another important tip when searching for marriage records is to not assume anything. For example, just because you can’t find a record for a particular marriage, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. There may be many reasons why a record doesn’t exist – perhaps it was lost or destroyed, or the couple may have been married in a different location than you were expecting.
Similarly, if you find a record that doesn’t seem to match what you were expecting, don’t dismiss it out of hand. It’s possible that there were mistakes made in the record-keeping, or that your ancestor used a different name than you were expecting. Always try to keep an open mind and gather as much information as possible before making any conclusions.
Verify your information
As with any genealogy research, it’s important to verify your information before accepting it as fact. Don’t rely solely on one source – instead, cross-check the information you find with other records and sources.
For example, if one record lists your ancestor’s birth year as 1845 and another lists it as 1848, you’ll want to try to determine which one is correct. Similarly, if a marriage record lists your ancestor’s occupation as “farmer,” but you know from other sources that he was a blacksmith, you’ll want to try to verify which one is accurate.
Remember that marriage records are just one piece of the puzzle
Finally, it’s important to remember that marriage records are just one piece of the genealogy puzzle. While they can offer valuable information about your ancestors, they don’t tell the whole story. They don’t provide insights into your ancestors’ personalities, their relationships with their families, or the struggles they faced in their lives.
To get a fuller picture of your ancestors’ lives, it’s important to consult a variety of sources and look for clues in other types of records. Census records, military records, and immigration records can all offer valuable information about your ancestors and help you to piece together a more complete picture of your family’s history.
In conclusion, picking the right marriage records can be a challenging but rewarding process. By starting with what you know, consulting multiple sources, being thorough in your search, and verifying your information, you’ll be well on your way to uncovering fascinating information about your family history.