GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - Australian Capital Territory, Australia 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 Australian Capital Territory Guided Research page.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1787-1970:  NSW Registry Search  at New South Wales Government
 * 1930-1943:  Historic Marriage Index  at Canberra Government
 * 1930-1940:  Australian Capital Territory Marriages  at FindMyPast ($)

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 a few years.
 * Search state/territory. Search using the state/territory name only instead of by town/city.

Known Record Gaps
Records Start The dates of commencement of civil registration in each colony/state and territory are:


 * Note 1. Civil registration commenced in Queensland when it was still part of the Colony of New South Wales. The relevant records were transferred to the control of the new Colony of Queensland at its formation in 1859.


 * Note 2. Civil registration began in the Northern Territory when it was administered from Adelaide. Responsibility was taken over by the Commonwealth from South Australia in 1911. The function was transferred to the Northern Territory Government in 1978 when internal self-government was granted.


 * Note 3. Civil registration began in the Australian Capital Territory from the creation of the Territory. At first, the function was carried out by New South Wales until 1930 when the Commonwealth took over. In 1988, the function was transferred to the Government of the Australian Capital Territory when internal self-government was granted.

Records Destroyed Some records may have been lost, destroyed, or damaged. More specific information is not known. Civil registration records are generally complete.