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.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1850-1949: Newfoundland, Canada, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1850-1949  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1793-1899: Newfoundland, Church Records, 1793-1899 at Ancestry ($)
 * 1810-1890: Newfoundland, Canada, Index of Birth, Marriage & Death Notices from Newspapers, 1810-1890 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.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens
When an eloping Newfoundland and Labrador couple's marriage is not in their home province or district, search for it in alternate places called a "Gretna Green". People from Newfoundland and Labrador may have married in a different location for similar reasons.
 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens

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 using the district name instead of just by province.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens
When an eloping Newfoundland and Labrador couple's marriage is not in their home province or district, search for it in alternate places called a "Gretna Green". People from Newfoundland and Labrador may have married in a different location for similar reasons.
 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens

Known Record Gaps
Records Start
 * Civil registration began in 1891. Before 1891, marriages can be found in church records.
 * Universal compliance was not achieved until the 1920s.
 * Until 1948, most vital records were copies of church records.

Records Destroyed

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens
When an eloping Newfoundland and Labrador couple's marriage is not in their home province or district, search for it in alternate places called a "Gretna Green". People from Newfoundland and Labrador may have married in a different location for similar reasons.
 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens