England and Wales Marriage Registration Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

 England  Wales

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of an index to marriages registered in England and Wales beginning 1 July 1837 through 2005. The index is arranged in volumes by years with the entries listed alphabetically. These indexes can be used to order a copy of the actual certificate. Index courtesy of Findmypast.com.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Marriage
 * Surname and given name
 * Record type
 * Spouse’s surname (post-1911 marriage indexes)
 * Year, quarter, volume and page number
 * District
 * Line and event number
 * May also list other names

Collection Content
Sample of an indexed record:

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The names of the bride and/or groom
 * Approximate date of marriage

If you do not know what registration district you need, find your location in: UK BMD Registration Districts In England and Wales.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * If possible, look at an image of the original record. The original may contain information that was not recorded in the index
 * Use the information in the index to obtain a copy of the marriage certificate from the appropriate registration district
 * Copies of certificates can be obtained through the General Register Office for a fee
 * Use the names of the couple to look for the new family in census records
 * Based on the date of marriage, estimate a birth year and search for birth or christening records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking for, What Now?

 * Events are filed by the date registered, not the date they occurred (for example, a marriage on 20 March which was registered on 6 April will be in the April-May-June quarter)
 * Indexes were prepared by hand and may contain copying errors (for example, "T" for "F") or omissions
 * Persons with common names may be difficult to identify in the index
 * Look for variant spellings of the names. Surnames are often found under unexpected spellings
 * You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * A person may have been registered under a different name than he or she used later in life

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in England. The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Wales.
 * England Guided Research
 * England Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Wales Guided Research
 * Wales Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.