The original records have been microfilmed and may be ordered for a small fee at your local LDS research library. Due to 18th and 19th century technology---troublesome quill pens versus wordprocessors--and illegible writing by the local scribes, names are often garbled. Also, items were often recorded out of sequence---the marriage either reported to the recorder well after the fact, or the recorder just forgot to get it done. You couldn't go back and squeeze it in later. So marriages might have been recorded long afterwards. Both of these problems occurred with Union County marriages in the 1840's. They probably occurred at one time or another in every county in the nation. Definitely don't count on information published on any database, as the transcription can create new errors, or innocently perpetuate others. If other records consistently differ from the marriage data, you'll want to view the data yourself. With your unique knowledge (knowing your ancestors true name etc.) you can find errors or misinterpretations of the records that the best genealogist in the world might miss. Also, don't count on the recorders indices to be all inclusive (this goes for deeds and probates also and for the modern printed census index books). I have found relatives documents that weren't included in the recorders index book (and relatives on censi that weren't in those indices). The marriage records I've seen in Union County were all pre Civil War and didn't consist of a great deal of information. However, sometimes a little information can help. For instance, you may find that the person who performed the ceremony lived next door to someone with the bride or groom's same surname---a relative? The preacher/Justice of the Peace might also have been related. And it's just plain neat seeing it for yourself. Later marriage records (can't speak for Union Co. on this as mine had moved west) are often nice looking printed forms with a period piece illustration of a ceremony or...A copy might be something you'd want to frame and put on your wall in your "rogues gallery". Also, since 19th century brides were most often married in their parent's house, you might find proof of paternity in the license. In 1871 DeKalb Alabama my great grandparents John C. Pinson and Caroline Gilbert were wed. Most of the licenses in the county stated the bride was born "in her father's house". For Caroline, her father was named as Daniel Gilbert, confirming what I already believed true. Thanks for the insight gained from your statement "in West Virginia...the parents names, places of birth for the bride and groom and ages were recorded. " I myself haven't seen information on birthplaces listed in 19th century marriage records. That could be a great survey question. Like Edie, I'd also like to know what changes occured in post 1850 marriage records in Union and surrounding counties. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Sunday, July 09, 2000 6:57 PM Subject: [GAUNION] Union Co. Marriage Records, Info Please >I have a few general questions about marriage records in Union County...hope >someone can give me some advice. I have a few ancestors who married in Union >County. John Brown, Jr. and Sarah Twiggs, Sept. 4, 1843, Alford Brown and >Nancy Haygood, July 25, 1872. I know the marriages are listed on the >website, but am wondering what additional information the County Records >would have. I know in West Virginia, where other ancestors married, the >parents names, places of birth for the bride and groom and ages were >recorded. Does anyone know if Union County Courthouse would have this type >of information? I am trying to confirm the parents of Alford Brown. On his >death certificate it stated John Brown and Sarah Twiggs, but I can't find an >Alford Brown in the household of them on any of the Census Records. Any >advice or information would be greatly appreciated. >Thanks, >Edie > > >==== GAUNION Mailing List ==== >The Union Co. GA 'county' forum at GenForum is NOT associated >with Union Co., GAGenWeb. > >