GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - Manitoba 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 Manitoba Guided Research page.

Other Databases

 * 1800-1959: Manitoba Church Records, 1800-1959  at FamilySearch
 * 1834-1959: Manitoba, Canada, Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1881-1937: Web: Manitoba, Marriage Index  at Ancestry (free)

Online Images (Browsable Only)
Some collections have not been indexed but are available to browse image by image.
 * 1800-1959: Manitoba Church Records  at FamilySearch

How to Request the Record When It's Not Online
Province-wide registration for marriages started in 1882. General compliance occurred in the 1920s. A few marriage records exist before then. To learn more about record limitations and restrictions, see the article Manitoba Vital Records.

To order marriage records from 1881-1938, contact:


 * Vital Statistics Agency 254 Portage Avenue Winnipeg MB R3C 0B6 Phone: 204-945-3701 Email: [mailto:vitalstats@gov.mb.ca vitalstats@gov.mb.ca] Website

NOTE: Marriage records are confidential for marriages less than 80 years ago. If either party or an immediate next of kin is living, written consent is required to order a record during this restricted period (see Restrictions for more details).

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 or place of marriage.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Search province. Search using the province name only instead of by smaller locality.

Known Record Gaps
Records Start
 * 1882 Civil registration for marriages began. Before 1882, marriages can be found in church records.
 * 1920s Universal compliance to registration was achieved in Manitoba.

Records Destroyed
 * Some vital and parish records have been lost as a result of fires.