User:Beccac1229/Sandbox49

=Ireland Civil Marriages - Why can't I find a record?=

This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find civil marriage information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the Ireland Civil Records page. If researching before 1864, see the Ireland Guided Research page.

Mandatory marriage registration started in 1845 for non-Catholics and 1864 for all religions. Before this, marriages can be found in church records (mainly the Roman Catholic Church or Church of Ireland).

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1619-1898:  Ireland, Select Marriages, 1619-1898  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1845-1958:  Irish Marriages 1845-1958  at FindMyPast ($)
 * 1845-1958:  Ireland, Civil Registration Marriages Index, 1845-1958  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1864-1918:  Northern Ireland Civil Registration Search  at NIDirect.gov.uk ($)
 *  Search Marriage Records for Ireland  at RootsIreland.ie ($)

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:
 * Add information. For common names, add more information to narrow the search such as approximate marriage date or father's name if known.
 * 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 (leave out the last name) with the approximate date of marriage.
 * Search for bride. Search by the bride's name rather than the groom's name.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Church of Ireland. Because of religious restrictions, some Catholics can be found in Church of Ireland records.

Surname distribution maps
Because of the abundance of common given and surnames, it is important to know the county and, even more importantly, the parish in order to narrow down the search. Use surname distribution maps to narrow down the likely location of your ancestor.
 * Irish Surnames
 * Surname Distribution mid 1800s

Records Start Mandatory marriage registration started in 1845 for non-Catholics and 1864 for all religions. Before this, marriages can be found in church records (mainly the Roman Catholic Church or Church of Ireland). Although civil registration began in 1864, universal compliance did not occur for decades. Records Published Records Destroyed Civil registration records are generally complete.