Morning Martin witnesses were required for all marriages from 1754 onwards following the passing of HARDWICKES marriage act 1763. This act required marriages to have 2 witnesses and for the ceremony to be in acordance with the Canons of the church in order to be valid under English law. Prior to the Marriage Act a marriage was valid in law if the 2 spouses had expressed to each other unconditional consent to the union. No particular words were necessary. There was no need for a clergyman or for witnesses. Hope this helps,Linda and Tony In a message dated 22/06/05 08:01:11 GMT Daylight Time, martinwill2@comcast.net writes: is Portsea unusual in having pre-1800 marriage register entries with details of witnesses etc.?