Unveiling The Mystery: Strategies For Discovering A Couple's Wedding Date

There are several ways to find out someone's wedding date. Marriage dates are public records and are often published in the local paper and online in the month following the wedding. If the marriage took place recently, you can try searching online by typing the couple's names into a search engine. You can also try using a specialist website that can search through marriage records. However, these websites often charge a fee for their services.

If the marriage took place in the US, marriage records are held by the County. You can visit the county records office or courthouse in person and request the marriage records. Alternatively, you can conduct an online search through the county clerk's website.

If you are looking for information on a marriage that took place before the 20th century, you can try checking church records, which in some cases go back to the 1600s. These records are generally kept in churches and their archives, at historical and genealogical societies, and in libraries.

Search online databases

Marriage records are generally open to the public and can be accessed online, at state vital records offices, and through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the US, marriage records are kept by the government or local authorities as proof of a marriage and are available at state and county levels.

There are several online databases that allow users to search for marriage records. These include:

• Ancestry.com: This site offers selected marriage records for some states and time periods, with indexes linking to images of actual marriage records, and other indexes containing information to help request the record.
• FamilySearch: A free website with indexes and some images of marriage records collections.
• GenWed: A free genealogical research database for marriage records and a directory to other marriage records online in the US.
• Vitalrec.com: A comprehensive resource for locating vital records.
• StateRecords.org: A privately-owned website that provides access to marriage license records and issues official and certified copies of marriage documents.
• UK Government Public Records: The UK government website has a section dedicated to researching marriages, births, divorces, and other civil records.
• The National Archives: The National Archives in the UK maintain copies of almost every public record, and marriages in Scotland dating back to 1855.

Online databases often provide indexes that can help you request the record, and in some cases, they may even have actual images of the marriage records. These sites may require a subscription or fee for full access to their records.

Check local newspapers

If you're looking for someone's wedding date, checking local newspapers is a great idea. Marriage dates are public record, and in some cases, they are published in local papers and online in the month following the wedding. Local newspapers often include articles about weddings, particularly if the couple is well-known in the community.

If the wedding you're looking for took place in the past few decades, you could try checking the local newspaper website. Do a search for the names of the couple in the announcements or public records section. Some larger local or state newspapers may have an online archive, but you might have to pay to use this. If you can't find what you're looking for online, you could try visiting the local library to access archive copies of the newspaper.

If the wedding took place a long time ago, you might need to access physical copies of old newspapers. Try contacting the newspaper directly to ask about their archives. You could also try searching for the records at the newspaper's headquarters or checking with your local library to see if they have any archived copies.

If you're looking for a wedding announcement in a local newspaper, it helps to know the location of the marriage. This will allow you to identify which newspapers may have published the date. Keep in mind that smaller community newspapers may include more detailed announcements, while larger papers might only publish a sentence or two.

In addition to wedding announcements, local newspapers often published engagement notices and marriage license notices. These can provide clues about an upcoming wedding, even if the marriage ultimately didn't take place. For example, an engagement announcement may include the date of the planned wedding, giving you a timeframe to search for the wedding announcement.

Newspaper wedding announcements can reveal a wealth of information, including the names of the bride and groom, the date and location of the marriage, and sometimes even details about the wedding attire and honeymoon plans. They can be a valuable source of information, especially for genealogical research.

Look for church records

If you are looking for someone's wedding date, church records can be a valuable source of information. Here are some detailed steps to help you find them:

Step 1: Identify the Church

The first step in locating church marriage records is identifying the specific church where the wedding took place. This can be done by gathering information from other sources such as obituaries, oral histories, county histories, or tombstones. Look for any mentions of a church affiliation or denomination, such as Methodist, Catholic, or Baptist. If you have access to a civil marriage record, check the name of the officiant for any titles or clues that indicate their religious affiliation.

Step 2: Locate the Church Records

Once you have identified the church, it's time to search for their congregational records. This process may vary depending on the denomination, time period, and location. Here are some strategies to try:

• Contact the Church: If the church still exists, reach out to their office and inquire about accessing their old records. You may need to make an appointment or provide a donation for their assistance.
• Search Denominational Archives: Some denominations centralize their records in archives or libraries. Contact the regional offices of the denomination to find out if they have the records or can direct you to the correct location.
• Check Online: Many church records have been digitized and posted online. Search for digital collections and databases, such as FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, Findmypast, or MyHeritage. These sites may require creating an account or paying a fee.
• Visit Local Libraries: Churches sometimes donate their records to nearby libraries. Contact or visit the libraries in the vicinity of the church to inquire about their collections.
• Contact Historical Societies: Local historical societies may have church records or be able to provide information on their whereabouts.
• Consult PERSI: PERSI (Periodical Source Index) is an index of family and local history periodicals that often publish church records. You can use this index to find relevant periodicals and then locate them through libraries or researchers.
• Check Private Collections: Some church records may be held by individuals, such as retired ministers or clerks, or their descendants. Use resources like the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC) or ArchiveGrid to locate these types of private collections.

Remember that the availability and accessibility of church records can vary depending on the denomination and region. Be prepared to explore multiple sources and don't give up if the records are not immediately available. With persistence and a bit of luck, you may uncover valuable information about the wedding date and other details about the couple.

Consult a genealogy website

If you are looking to find someone's wedding date, consulting a genealogy website is a good place to start. These websites can help you find marriage records, which can include a variety of information such as the date and place of the wedding, the couple's birth dates and places, their residences, occupations, and their parents' names.

Marriage records are often kept by churches and governments, with some records dating back to the 1600s. In the US, civil registration of marriages only became mandatory in the 20th century, so for earlier marriages, church records are a good place to start. You can usually find these records in churches and their archives, at historical and genealogical societies, and in libraries. If the church doesn't have the archives, try contacting the headquarters of the denomination.

If you are looking for more recent marriage records, try checking your state's marriage certificate index or repository online. Not all states have these indexes, but they can be a useful way to find information on a marriage without having to go to an office. If the information you need isn't available online, you may need to visit the county records office or courthouse in person. Marriage licenses, which show the date of marriage, are given by the county clerk, and a search can be conducted at the County Recorder's office.

When searching for marriage records, it is helpful to have as much information as possible about the couple and the wedding. This can include their full names, the approximate date and location of the marriage, and the names of the couple's parents. If you don't have much information to start with, try checking with libraries and genealogical societies in the area, as they may have indexes that can help you access the original records.

In addition to genealogy websites, you can also try searching for marriage records on general search engines or by using an online agency that specialises in background checks. These agencies usually require you to create an account and pay a subscription fee, but they may offer free trials that you can utilise.

Contact the county clerk

If you are searching for a recent marriage date, you can try searching online for the state and county marriage indexes. However, if you are looking for a marriage date that is not recent, there is no national index of marriage certificates or licenses, so you must request this information at the state or county level. Marriage licenses are given by the county clerk, and a search can be conducted at the County Recorder's office.

Marriage licenses are legal documents that allow two individuals to get married. They are issued by the government, typically by the county clerk's office. The license confirms that the couple is legally qualified and allowed to marry. To obtain a marriage license, couples must visit their county's courthouse or city hall and complete the required application. The application must be submitted along with proof of identity and the necessary fee. Identification documents may include:

• Government-issued ID
• Social security number
• International passport
• Any identifying document bearing the birth date of the applicant

Depending on the judicial district, there may be other requirements, such as blood tests or third-party affidavits. If one of the applicants is underage, they must also submit a parental consent form. Divorcees must submit their divorce decrees, and widowed applicants must submit the death certificate of their spouse.

Once all the requirements are met, the couple will receive their marriage license, which an officiant must sign at the wedding ceremony before it can take effect. The signed license is then filed at the county clerk's office, who registers it and mails the official marriage certificate to the couple.

If you are looking for a marriage date, you can contact the county clerk's office to request this information. You will need to know where the marriage took place so that you can go to the relevant office. It is helpful to have as much information as possible about the marriage in question, including the names of the couple, the place of marriage, and the approximate date of marriage. You may be asked to pay a fee for the search, typically between $10 and $50.

Frequently asked questions