Marriage Licence Bonds and Allegations (1592-20^th century)

The collection includes a series of marriage licence allegations and bonds, sometimes filed with transcripts of the parish register baptism entries of the bride and groom (as proof of age) and copies of the licence itself. Such records were created when persons did not wish to be married by the publication of banns, as was the usual practice, and instead took out a licence. Typically, information about the marital status, ages, recent places of residence, status and occupations of the bridge and groom can be obtained, and if either were under age, the personal details of the consenting parent or guardian are also recorded.

The pre-1900 marriage licence bonds and allegations have been digitised and made available for browsing online, at the FamilySearch website.

Catalogues are available as follows:

pre-1815

Indexed catalogue compiled ca.1900, available in some local libraries, on microfilm at Palace Green Library, and online at the FamilySearch website.

1816-1820

Card index, available only within the Palace Green Library search room

1821-1837

Indexed catalogue compiled in 2009, available in the Palace Green Library search room, browsable online, and as yearly PDFs to download:

• 1821
• 1822
• 1823
• 1824
• 1825
• 1826
• 1827
• 1828
• 1829
• 1830
• 1831
• 1832
• 1833
• 1834
• 1835
• 1836
• 1837

After 1837

Unlisted (marriages most easily searched via Civil Registration records)

Marriage Licence Allegation for the marriage of William Ord of Whitfield, County Durham, bachelor, and Frances Vere Loraine of Gosforth, Tyne & Wear, spinster: they were married, a week later, by licence, on 8 December 1829 at Gosforth. Ref: DDR/EJ/MLA/1/1829/384. Their marriage entry in the parish register can also be viewed online in the Bishops' Transcripts.