I Do -- Marriage Record Research by Ruby Coleman Marriage records are inconsistent from one county to another and from one state to another. At various times periods they were recorded in different formats and according to laws that are no longer in existence. During the colonial era many couples were married by circuit riding preachers who did not keep track of their marriages, baptisms and burials. In some cases, couples went ahead and lived together as man and wife until they could be officially married. Some of the words that you will encounter in research of marriage records are the following: marriage banns - notice of intended marriage published by a church and often read before the congregation; normally published three Sundays or holy days in the parish were the persons dwelled or wedding was to occur marriage bond - document binding parties to pay a sum of money if the obligation of marriage is not performed; used in colonial era; usually paid by the father, brother or a relative of a bride; posted before a license could be issued marriage license - document issued by a civil authority authorizing that the marriage can be performed marriage record or return - report of marriage returned to the civil authority by person performing marriage marriage register - record of marriages performed in a civil or church jurisdiction bondsman or surety - person legally liable for the debt or default of another; they are shown as such on early marriage bonds declaration of intent to marry - in some instances required before a ceremony could be performed marriage contract - also known as a prenuptial agreement; normally used to protect property for children (in case of second or more marriages); sometimes filed in probate or land records dowry - property a bride brings to her husband at the time of marriage For remainder of article: http://genealogytoday.com/columns/ruby/041013.html Sally Rolls Pavia sallypavia2001@yahoo.com List Owner: GENEALOGYBITSANDPIECES-L-request@rootsweb.com Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/GENEALOGYBITSANDPIECES "All incoming and outgoing email checked by Norton Anti-Virus" Patriotic people VOTE!