April, For less common surnames, you may be able to cross-check online marriage indexes (e.g. at Ancestry/FamilySearch/FindMyPast) against the licence index, to see if any of the possible licence entries can be eliminated that way. Vicar-General marriage licences could be issued for marriages across the whole of the Archdiocese of Canterbury (effectively the southern half of England). Otherwise, I'm afraid there is no way of finding out the spouses' forenames without accessing a copy of the document (usually an allegation and/or bond). The originals are held at Lambeth Palace, but the usual means of access is via the Society of Genealogists, who hold microfilms. You can order printouts from these films through the SoG website (£10 each). Please see this link. http://bit.ly/1klF25s There are also LDS films available, which can be viewed at one of their Family History Centres. HTH Judy London, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: April <adale41@googlemail.com> Subject: [MDX] VICAR GENERAL MARRIAGE LICENCE Could I ask please for help as to where I can write to get more info on Vicar General Marriage Licences. I have 3 marriages I would like to check  belonging to WOODMAN marriages.  It supplies the male surname and the female surname along with the dates, but no christian names.  One of these 3 might be the marriage I am searching for. Thank you for any help. April.                            New Forest