Marti wrote: "What is this about McAlester IT being the only place whites could marry? I couldn't find the message you apparently wrote her - if you still have it, send it - working on an explanation page for where they can hunt for pre-statehood marriage records." ~~ `Twernt exactly what I said-- but it was close! The Indian tribes would not (normally) issue tribal marriage licenses to non-Indians. The non-Indians (usually) had to go to the nearest U.S. courthouse, because they were U.S. citizens. In this particular case the federal courthouse was located in McAlester. There were also federal courthouses in Muskogee, Vinita and several other places in Indian Territory. Another place to look for "Indian Territory marriages" is in the county seats of adjacent states. Often it was easier/cheaper to climb on a train, go to Dennison, Wichita Falls or Ft Smith, get married and take the next train back than it would be to go to the Federal courthouses in their district. jc