Ghana, Accra, Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The records were acquired from the Public Records and Archives Administration (PRAA) and are both typed and handwritten in printed forms. In Ghana, a couple could be married under customary law. However traditional, or customary, Ghanian marriages are performed by family elders. The elders of the two families, along with the potential bride and groom, meet together for a bargaining. The customary marriages were typically not recorded at the time of the marriage. In order to get these marriages recognized by state law, the couple had to get their marriage registered and recognized by the state. In 1985 marriage laws were altered, requiring by law that all marriages be registered. Many marriages still continue to be customary today and may or may not actually be registered. The marriage records in this collection appear to be primarily church records mixed with some registered marriages. Find out more about customary marriage laws as well as the marriage ordinance and Islamic marriages at Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: Marriage • 3 Divorce
 * Name of husband and wife
 * Date of marriage
 * Residence of both parties
 * Date of dissolution

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The names of the people you are looking for
 * An approximate date of marriage

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?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family
 * Record entries for other people with the same surname to identify possible relationships

I Can't Find the Person Who I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images
 * Remember that sometimes individuals alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in Ghana.
 * Ghana Record Finder
 * Ghana Online Genealogy Records

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Ghana, Accra, city council minutes, 1968-1993
 * Ghana, Accra, marriage and divorce records, 1863-2003

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Ghana Census, 1984

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.

Gana, Acra, Casamentos (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)