GRO Marriage details

[Jane Masri]

Somewhere in the recesses of my memory I seem to recall other Rootschatters mentioning, that, if you contacted a local records office with the pertinant information they will give the recquired details without you having to buy the certificate.  Am I right or wrong?
The reason I ask, is that I need to know if the lady concerned in this 1909 Porstmouth marriage was a widow or a spinster & as I'm doing this research on behalf of a good friend who can't afford the certificate I thought this might be a good alternative.

jane

[jksdelver]

You will only get the details after buying the certificate. However someone may be able to look at local parish registers and see if they were married in a PC. If the marriage took place in a register office then you will have to get the certificate

[Jane Masri]

Thanks for your reply.  I still think that some RO's will furnish details so I'll see if someone comes up with a positive answer on that  which would be good news 

jane

[patpat]

Have u tried    Knightroots    online parish transcriptions ?
They have some marraiges for Portsmouth area
http://www.knightroots.co.uk/  its a free web page
hope this helps from Pat

[Jane Masri]

Hi Pat,
I'm just about to enter that site  found on the Hants resource page, so thanks for your reply 

jane

[sillgen]

I think you are right Jane but you have to phrase the question carefully - say you want to check if it is the right one by using her status as the check point.    I am sure that officially they are not encouraged to give out the information freely.  Some are more helpful than others.  Worth a try anyway.
Andrea

[jksdelver]

However if you are carrying out family histroy research you still need the certificate or PR transcript to confirm parents and the like

[Jane Masri]

Thanks Andrea,
I would have done as you suggested   as no one would be buying certificates  
If I get no joy from online sources I'll give it a go.

jane

[Jane Masri]

However if you are carrying out family histroy research you still need the certificate or PR transcript to confirm parents and the like

A thought that's never far from my mind, JKS 

jane