Unveiling The Secrets To Discovering Your Wedding Anniversary Date

There are several ways to find out someone's wedding anniversary date. Marriage dates are a matter of public record, so you can try searching online public databases, visiting a county records office, or using a specialist website that can search through marriage records for you. If you're looking for an older marriage record, you may need to check church archives, local newspapers, or genealogical societies. These methods can help you find the wedding date of a couple so you can celebrate and plan something special, like a romantic dinner, a hotel staycation, or a fun experience together.

Search online databases

If you're looking to find a wedding anniversary date, there are several online databases that can help you. Here are some tips on how to search them effectively:

Specialist Websites and Online Agencies

The quickest way to find a wedding date is to use a specialist website or online agency that can search through marriage records. These sites can be found by searching for "marriage record checks" or "background checks". Before choosing an agency, be sure to research their reputation and look for positive feedback. Some agencies may offer free trials or a limited number of free searches, so it's worth checking if you only need to perform a single search. When signing up, you will likely need to provide personal details and select a payment option.

Online Databases

When searching online databases, it's important to have as much information as possible. At a minimum, you will need to know the full name of at least one of the individuals, the approximate year of the marriage, and the state or county where it took place. Some databases may also require additional information, such as the city where the marriage was performed. It's a good idea to research the records covered by the database before paying for access.

Vital Records

Marriage certificates are the best source of information for wedding dates, and these can be obtained from either the county or state where the marriage occurred, depending on the year. If the marriage certificate is unavailable, other records such as marriage intentions, licenses, applications, contracts, or returns may also contain the information you need. Divorce certificates can also include the date of marriage. These vital records can usually be requested from the relevant government agency, though there may be a fee involved.

Church Records

If the marriage you're searching for occurred before the 20th century, church records are a good place to look. You will need to know the name of the individual, the name of the church, or the name of the clergyman who performed the ceremony. Church records are often kept in churches and their archives, as well as genealogical societies and libraries. The Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is another good resource for American and foreign church records.

Newspaper Archives

Some marriages are followed by announcements in local newspapers or newsletters, though this practice is becoming less common. If you know the location of the marriage, you can search the website of the local newspaper or visit your public library to access their archive copies. Online newspaper archives are also available on a state-by-state basis.

By utilising these online databases and following the suggested search tips, you should be well on your way to finding the wedding anniversary date you're looking for.

Check local newspaper archives

Local newspapers often include lists of marriage certificates granted by the county clerk's office. These lists can be a valuable starting point for your search, although not everyone who applied for a marriage certificate and was granted a license ended up getting married.

Wedding and engagement announcements in newspapers often include a photograph or etching of the bride-to-be or of the couple. Finding these engagement notices can be a real treasure, providing old pictures of your ancestors in their youth.

Marriage records give you names and dates to help fill in the missing details on your family tree, and also give clues to guide your family history research in new directions. Newspaper articles can provide an alternative to an official county marriage record when trying to trace your family history, especially if you're trying to track down the formal marriage record. Marriage records are sometimes hard to obtain, as one must request records from the county clerk's office where the marriage license was originally issued.

Newspapers routinely published engagement announcements, marriage records, and notable anniversary milestones from a wide surrounding geographic area. Although today, these announcements are usually reserved for socialites, celebrities, and political leaders, old newspapers can provide valuable details about your ancestors.

Historically, couples had to announce their intent to marry formally. This has evolved, but these formal announcements can often be found in old publications. For example, Marriage Banns (Bans) were announcements read in Christian churches for three weeks leading up to the wedding to allow time for anyone to object. Bans were published in church bulletins and sometimes the local papers. In addition, consent from the parents was also sometimes published in local newspapers.

GenealogyBank has an extensive archive of over 15,000 newspapers covering over 327 years of news coverage on engagements and weddings.

Newspapers.com has also launched the first phase of its Newspapers.com Marriage Index collection. This is a searchable archive of more than 50 million U.S. wedding announcements. The first phase of this release contains information from more than 200 million records from over 50 million lists and wedding announcements from the United States dating from 1800-1999.

Consult church records

If you're looking for a marriage date from before the 20th century, church records are a good place to start. In the US, civil registration of marriages only began in the 1900s, so church records are often the best way to find information on earlier marriages.

Church records are generally kept in churches and their archives, at historical and genealogical societies, and in libraries. If the church doesn't hold the archives, the headquarters of the denomination may do. The Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is another good place to look for both American and foreign church records. Their records are organised first by state, then county, and then town. Knowing the denomination will make your search easier, unless the town you are searching for had very few churches.

To find an individual's marriage date in church marriage records, you must know the individual's name, and either the name of the church where the ceremony was performed or the name of the clergyman that appears on the certificate. If you can find out the denomination of your ancestor's religion, you can try contacting all of the churches of that denomination in the area where you believe your ancestor lived. If they have records from the corresponding time period, they should be able to tell you whether or not your ancestor was a member. If their records do not go back far enough, they may be able to direct you to other churches of that denomination in the area at the time and where their records may be.

To locate the records that belong to your ancestors' church, you can use the following books:

• The Handbook of American Denominations, by Frank Mead
• The Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches and Reformed Churches, edited by the National Council of Churches
• List of Historical Records Survey Publications, by the Works Projects Administration
• State Historical Records Surveys, by the Works Projects Administration

These books can be found in a public or genealogical library.

Ask relatives

If you are trying to find the wedding anniversary date of your relatives, asking other family members is a good place to start. This is especially true if you are looking for the date of a more recent marriage, as older relatives are more likely to remember the date.

You could also try asking relatives for any family records they might have, such as a family Bible. Marriage certificates were often kept by the couple, so there is a chance that a relative might have this documentation.

If the marriage you are researching is older, you could ask relatives for any information they might have about the couple's parents, where they lived, their occupations, etc. This information could help you find the marriage record in county or church archives.

Look at wedding invitations

If you've received a wedding invitation, you can easily find the wedding anniversary date. Here are some steps to help you locate the information:

• Locate the wedding date on the invitation — The wedding date is usually prominently displayed on the invitation, often at the top or in a highlighted section. This is the key piece of information you need to determine the anniversary date.
• Mark the date on your calendar — Once you have the wedding date, make a note of it on your calendar or digital planner. Set a reminder for yourself a few days or weeks in advance so you don't forget.
• Calculate the anniversary date — An anniversary is the annual recurrence of a date, so simply count one year from the wedding date and mark it as the first anniversary. For example, if the wedding date is June 15, 2024, then the first anniversary will be on June 15, 2025.
• Consider setting a recurring reminder — To ensure you don't miss any subsequent anniversaries, set a recurring reminder for the same date each year. That way, you'll always be reminded of the special occasion.
• Plan ahead for special anniversaries — Certain milestone anniversaries, such as the 25th or 50th anniversary, may warrant extra celebration. Take note of these milestones and plan something special to commemorate them.
• RSVP and attend the wedding — Don't forget to respond to the invitation and confirm your attendance. By being part of the couple's special day, you'll create lasting memories and have an even greater reason to celebrate their future anniversaries.

By following these steps, you'll be able to easily determine the wedding anniversary date from the invitation and join in the celebration year after year.

Frequently asked questions