What's happening here do you think?

[JAKnighton]

My 4x great grandparents Isaac Wade and Elizabeth Rimes were officially married in the Register Office, Peterborough, Northamptonshire on December 13, 1869. I have a copy of the certificate.

However, if you search for this marriage on Ancestry and FamilySearch, you find a transcription of marriage banns for the couple in Farcet, Huntingdonshire (just outside Peterborough and their home parish) on December 13, 1868; precisely one year earlier.

Now I know what marriage banns are, but isn't it a bit odd that there is an exact year gap between the banns and the actual marriage? Considering this is a transcription, is this likely to be an error?

I should note that Isaac and Elizabeth had an illegitimate child, my 3x great grandmother Lizzie Wade Rimes born on October 7, 1868, the same year these banns were supposedly read.

[PaulineJ]

Most likely one party chickened out.

[JAKnighton]

Most likely one party chickened out.

I had considered that, but the fact that the actual marriage took place precisely a year later comes across as odd to me.

[stanmapstone]

Even though the banns were called it does not mean the marriage took place, also the marriage had to be solemnised within three months after publication, otherwise the banns had to be republished..

Stan

[Daisypetal]

Hi,

Sorry to add to the confusion but when I search Ancestry and FindMyPast for this marriage I get the result,


England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973

Marriage Date:  13 Dec 1868
Marriage Place:  Yaxley, Huntingdon
Isaac WADE
Elizabeth RIMES 

Transcription only, no image, it doesn't mention Banns.


Regards,
Daisy

[venelow]

The data set England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973 was created by Family Search. If you search the 1868 event on Family Search there is a film number 1040732.

The Family Search catalogue shows this is for Yaxley and lists what is on the film. In this case the following.

Baptisms, 1844-1854. Banns and marriages, 1754-1812. Marriages, 1813-1875. Burials, 1813-1875. Banns, 1834-1875. Marriages licenses, 1713, 1816-1820. Vestry book, 1736-1811, 1848-1870.

The makers of the Select Marriages 1538 - 1973 data set did not distinguish between Banns and Marriages or Licenses. That is why you often see conflicting information on people's trees re marriage dates and places. They have used the index only and not consulted the images.

Venelow
Canada

[rosie99]

Deleted as I had not noticed they married in Registry office

[stanmapstone]

You don't need banns for a Register Office Wedding, the requirements are different. When a couple applied for a Registrar's Certificate instead of Banns being read in church, a copy of such notice will be entered by the superintendent-registrar in a book called “the marriage notice-book,”  which will be open at all reasonable times, without fee, to all persons desirous of inspecting the same. After the expiration of 21 days after the entry of the notice, if no impediment has been shown, the superintendent-registrar may be required to issue a certificate.
Always bear in mind that the marriage laws have changed over time so when the marriage took place is relevant.

Stan

[Melbell]

A small suggestion re the two dates - perhaps the actual day and month had some significance for one or both of the couple, a birthday or some such?

Melbell