Marriage records
We have been busy in our local Sudbury library uploading some Suffolk marriage records onto the People Collection. The records are marriage allegations. Upload and explore!
We thought that we should stop and understand what they actually mean. A marriage licence allegation indicates the intention to marry.
Definition of a marriage licence
with thanks to Durham University
“Records of marriage licences are created when a couple chose to be married by licence, rather than by the calling of banns. Almost all marriages before 1837 were carried out within Church of England parish churches, and most of these were solemnised after the calling of banns within the church (repeated announcements within their parish churches of the couple’s intention to marry, during the weeks preceding the actual marriage). However, couples could choose to marry after obtaining a licence from the bishop, either as a status symbol (because it required payment of the licence fee), or to avoid the delay caused by repeated calling of banns. The licence was usually issued not by the bishop in person, but by a senior clergyman acting as the bishop’s surrogate within a particular part of the diocese.
Before a marriage licence could be granted, an affidavit (called the allegation) had to be sworn (usually by the groom), and until 1823 a bond was also required.”
So, it isn’t proof that a marriage took place. However but, until a marriage certificate or entry in a church register can be identified, the marriage licence allegation may be the only record available.
marriage allegation records
Last week we found and uploaded some, dating back to 1743.
We see these as data rich records. In the example above you can see the parish they live in and their marital status. After a while you get used to the abbreviations used for forenames and can upload them easily. Most marriage allegation include the person’s trade and other bondsmen.
Captain John William Eyres was in the Grenadier Guards and served after the Napoleonic wars and before the Crimean War. We need to fid out more about him.
