Genealogy Chat

Hi Today I have got a marriage certificate for my Great Great Grandfather he married in 1886 in Salford. This is the first certificate I have got where the couple got married in a registry office. His wife was a widow aged 21 and he was 25. I noticed that where it says banns usually it says by certificate before me. Why was there a certificate was it to do with the fact it was a registry office? Has any one had this and know why can you get copies of the certificate that is mentioned. Any information would be great Thanks Karen

Firstly, I don't know the answer to your question, but here is a bit of background. I have rellies who married in C of E church in 1848 by ''registrars certificate''. I phoned the registrars to ask them what this meant. They said it was unusual to marry in C of E this way, because a reg cert was usually issued to enable a couple to marry either in a reg office or in a religious venue that had not been given marriage rites (such as a small chapel etc). In either case the registrar would have to be present. However my rellies were married by the C of E curate yet neither the bride or groom were C of E, though they were different denominations from each other. The talks about my rellies went on for ages, but at no time did anyone at the reg office suggest that these reg certs were available to view or even that they were kept after the ceremony. I would imagine they consist of a document declaring that the parties involved are free to marry and signed by both of them, but this is really only my guesswork. Hope this background info helps slightly lol Sarah

I found the following explanation of marriage by licence which may answer your question: 'Unless you are marrying in the Church of England or Church of Wales by Banns or Common Licence You and / or your partner must attend personally at the register office for the district(s) where you live and give notice of your marriage to the Superintendent Registrar. Notice of marriage can be given in one of two ways: Superintendent Registrar's certificate without licence This is the most common form of notice and a form giving the couples names and addresses, ages and location of the ceremony will have to be completed together with a declaration that there is no legal objection to the marriage. Residency requirements 1.If both partners reside in the same registration district. Each partner must have lived in that district for at least seven days prior to giving notice to the Superintendent Registrar of that district. Either party may give notice. 2. If the couple reside in different districts to each other, then each person must give notice in his/her district or either party must give notice in both districts. However notice cannot be given until both persons have lived in their respective districts for at least seven days. 3. After the Superintendent Registrar has established that he can take notice of marriage, it is entered into a marriage notice book and a statutory form is displayed on a public notice board for 21 clear days. (This is the equivalent period that banns are published in the Church of England). The reason for this is to allow anyone who has any objection to the marriage to register his objection. 4. A certificate of marriage is then issued (Not a Marriage Certificate which is issued after the wedding) and held at register office until the day of marriage. If notice of marriage is given in two districts, then one should be collected by the couple as it will have to be produced before the ceremony can go ahead. 5. The marriage has to take place after 21 days and within one year of Notice of marriage having been given. If the marriage is postponed beyond the one year fresh notice will have to be given. (e.g. if notice is given on 1 July the marriage may take place on or after the 23 July) Superintendent Registrar's certificate and licence 'Special Licence' Licence or 'Special Licence' This requires that one of you has lived in the registration district for at least 15 days prior to giving notice at the register office. Your partner need only be resident of or be physically in England and Wales on the day notice is given. This is a more expensive option but it then allows a marriage to take place after only one clear day of giving notice ( excluding a Sunday, Christmas Day or Good Friday). Be ready to provide certain documents to show the Superintendent Registrar these may include a passport or some other form of identification. If either of you are divorced you will need to show a decree absolute of your divorce. (e.g. you can give notice on a Monday and be married on the Wednesday) '

From the excellent http://home*clara*net/dixons/Certificates/indexbd.htm replace * with . ' 'by certificate' which would be found on a marriage entry in a register office marriage register or in a non-conformist marriage register. It shows that the couple waited 3 weeks between giving notice and getting married' nell