Once you have the correct information, you may want to order a BIRTH, MARRIAGE or DEATH CERTIFICATE.
You will need to go to the CERTIFICATE ORDERING SERVICE at the General Register Office to find out how to order one.
MARRIAGE NOTE
[from GENUKI site]
Until 1929, the minimum ages people could marry were 12 for girls and 14 for boys. In 1929 both ages were raised to 16. The consent of parents was required for those under 21.
Apart from Jews and Quakers, most people had to get married in the parish church. Parishioners were usually married by Banns, which meant that details of the proposed marriage were announced from the pulpit (of both the groom AND bride's parish churches) for 3 consecutive Sundays prior to the marriage.
At the same time a challenge issued in the usual way: "If any man knows reason why these two should not be joined etc.....".
The delay and public aspect of Banns could be avoided by the purchase of a Marriage Licence (usually from the Archdeaconry Court).
Marriage by Licence meant that the couple could be married without Banns being called, thus saving time in many instances:
- Perhaps the groom was leaving the district (member of the navy, or other reason), and they wanted to be married before he left
- Perhaps the lady was pregnant
- It might be one of the local 'gentlemen' who worked 'up-country' and only had a short time in the parish
- Maybe it was because they could afford to pay for a licence.
