Thread: Marriages By Licence

Could someone explain what a marriage by Licence is.. I have just found two marriages for my ancestors one in 1792 and the other much earlier and both say by Licence..I'm not sure what this means or why they married this way?


Marion

Hi Marion,
Copied from the Genealogy Guide on our home page,

Most marriages took place after banns had been called in the parish church for three consecutive weeks. However, some couples married by licence which meant that calling of banns was not required (often either because they wished to marry quickly or away from their own parish). The couple applied for a licence by submitting an allegation (a sworn declaration that there was no impediment to the marriage) and a bond (a sworn document by a bondsman that there was no impediment to the marriage and also provided a monetary guarantee).

Thanks Don.. I really appreciate you adding this information.

Marion

Hi Marion,

The licence does not record the marriage itself, only the permission for a marriage to take place. The marriage may not have gone ahead. Only a small proportion of people got marriage via license.
If you go to the home page you will see :- Ancestry Aid Network
If you keep clicking on the arrow to the left you will find quite a bit of information that has been there some time.