Quakers and other similar groups in the past didn't believe in taking oaths, signing official documents or having formal ceremonies so they did not always register their marriages with the local authorities or any group ( Their idea was that they always spoke the truth so written legal documents were unnecessary - God knew the details in any case so it didn't mater). Another popular custom was for a couple to live together for a year to see if they would make a "good fit". If things didn't work out they were free to part.. If they did or a child was born to them or on it's way they then considered married in any case. In the military and navy women serving on paid active duty in combat areas or at sea (3 women+ children per 100 men + any officers wives extra) were required to be married at all times. Widows were carried on the payroll for a short period after the loss of the husband but had to remarry very quickly often within 24 hours to remain with the men. It was only after the Crimean war that women and children were phased out of active service by most armies as it was considered "no place for a lady" by Victorian society. In the frontier society of North America marriage records may be easier to find in military files rather than civilian files. Up to about the 1830's only Anglican ministers could perform legal religious marriages in Ontario and since there were only 3-4 of them around at the time they were hard pressed to perform their duties. Most people simply did without or went to other denominations like the very popular Presbyterians and Methodists who did "unofficial" wedding ceremonies by the score for anyone. Nelson Denton