GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - Newfoundland and Labrador Marriages

This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find marriage information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the marriage section of the Newfoundland and Labrador Guided Research page.

Civil registration for marriages began in 1891. Before 1891, marriages can be found in church records.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1850-1949: Newfoundland, Canada, Births, Marriages, and Deaths  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1793-1899: Newfoundland, Church Records at Ancestry ($)
 * 1830s-1940s: Vital Statistics for Newfoundland Listed by District at Newfoundland's Grand Banks
 * 1810s-1950s: Parish Records for Newfoundland and Labrador Listed by District at Newfoundland's Grand Banks

Additional Records with Marriage Information
Substitute records may contain information about more than one event and are used when records for an event are not available. Records that are used to substitute for marriage events may not have been created at the time of the marriage. The accuracy of the record is contingent upon when the information was recorded. Search for information in multiple substitute records to confirm the accuracy of these records.

Tips for finding marriages
Successfully finding marriage records in online databases depends on a few key points. Try the following search suggestions:
 * Spelling variations. Your ancestor's name may be misspelled. Search with spelling variations for the first and last name of your ancestor.
 * Search given name. Search by given name by leaving out the last name.
 * Search for bride. Search by the bride’s name rather than the groom’s name.
 * Add information. For common names, add more information to narrow the search such as approximate year of marriage or the district the marriage took place in.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Search district. Search by the district instead of just by province.

Known Record Gaps
Records Start Records Destroyed
 * 1891 Civil registration of marriages began in 1891.
 * 1920s Universal compliance was achieved.
 * Some vital and parish records have been lost as a result of fires.