GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - Isle of Man 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 Isle of Man Guided Research page.

Mandatory marriage registration started in 1884. Before 1884, marriages and banns can be found in church records (mainly the Church of England). The oldest marriage records date to 1598.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1538-1973: England Marriages, 1538–1973  at FamilySearch
 * 1598-1936: Isle of Man, Select Parish Registers, 1598-1936  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1606-1984: Isle of Man, Marriage Index, 1606-1984  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1849-1911: Isle of Man, Select Marriages, 1849-1911  at Ancestry ($)

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 county the marriage took place in.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Search county. Search using the county name only instead of by parish.

Known Record Gaps
Records Start Mandatory marriage registration started in 1884. Before 1884, marriages and banns can mainly be found in church records (mainly the Church of England). However, beginning in 1849, those not belonging to the state religion (the Church of England) could register their marriages with the state. Retrospective marriage registration, some dating to the early 1800s, also occurred. The oldest church marriage records date to 1598.

Records Published

Records Destroyed Some church records may have been lost, destroyed, or damaged (especially in the early 1600s). More specific information is not known. Civil registration records are generally complete.