Hello again I found the following after a "Google" search which explains solemnization of marriages in Nova Scotia. However, it doesn't say anything about any assumed reason that a "solemnized" Canning marriage (Kings County) is in the Hants County book. Any ideas? Richard ********************** http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11135a.htm XI. MARRIAGE LAWS By the provisions of the British North America Act, the subject of marriage and divorce is assigned to the Dominion Parliament, and that of the solemnization of marriage to the legislature of the province. The former body, under this distribution deals with the capacity to contract marriage, and in pursuance of such power it has enacted (R. S. C., c. 105) that "a marriage is not invalid merely because the woman is a sister of a deceased wife of the man, or a daughter of a sister of a deceased wife of the man". The provincial statute (R. S. N. S., 1900, c. 111) deals with the mode of solemnizing a marriage within the province. It provides that every marriage shall be solemnized by a minister of a church or religious denomination, being a man and resident in Canada, who is recognized as duly ordained according to the rites and ceremonies of the church or denomination to which he belongs. Persons belonging to the society known as the Salvation Army may be married by any duly appointed male commissioner or staff officer of the society. No person shall officiate at the solemnization of any marriage unless publication has been made of the banns of the marriage or a licence has been obtained for the solemnization of the marriage. The banns shall be published in any church at the place in which one of the parties resides by the officiating clergyman in an audible voice during the time of Divine service, and if there is more than one public service in the church on each Sunday, such publication shall be made at three several services held on two or more Sundays; otherwise the publication may be at two several services on two Sundays. Every marriage shall be solemnized in the presence of at least two witnesses. After the solemnization of the marriage the clergyman solemnizing the same shall make out a certificate containing the date of the marriage, the place thereof, the date of the publication of the banns, the church in which and the clergyman by whom the banns were published, the names of the witnesses and his own name, and the religious denomination to which he belongs. The marriage register giving the above particulars, and also the names, ages, residences, etc., of the parties and their parents shall also be filled up. Returns in the prescribed form shall be made by the clergyman to the nearest issuer of marriage licences within ten days after the solemnization. Forms for that purpose are furnished by the issuer of marriage licences. Large penalties are provided for solemnizing marriage without banns of marriage or licence, for refusing to publish the banns, for solemnizing under an illegal licence, and for failing to return the marriage register. From: Richard Hardwick To: NS ednet list ; NOVA-SCOTIA Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 3:31 PM Subject: Marriage Solemnized Hello all At the new NS website I found a Jonathan RAND=Rebecca J HARDWICK marriage of 1869 (Rebecca was a widow, being born McLATCHEY.) Anyway, according to the "Marriages Solemnized in the County of HANTS" their entry is entered in the HANTS book. Now, the question is - It looks like the city where they married is Canning. At least it looks like Canning. Hard to read!! And Canning is in Kings County. They married in 1869 which is long after Kings and Hants divided into separate counties, right, or am I going on incorrect info? It indicates that Jonathan was born in Cornwallis, which also is in Kings County. What does "solemnization" mean with respect to these entries? Is it possible to have married in Kings County and then get a marriage "solemnized" in Hants County? Little confused on this one. Thanks Richard Hardwick (Researching direct lines in Nova Scotia and New England - HARDWICK, ARMSTRONG, BARTEAUX, SPURR, HENDERSON, BLACKMAR, MARSH) RiHardwick@comcast.net