how did you prove you were catholic in 1868

[Ringading]

Hi All,

I wondered if anyone can tell me what documentation or proof was required by the catholic church to marry two people who were strangers to the area.
I know that when I married in 1966, I had to send away for my baptismal lines,  before the parish priest would consent.And this was in Scotland
Any information on this would be appreciated.
yours sincerely
Ringading

[Elwyn Soutter]

The usual practice was for the priest who was to perform the marriage to write to the pp in the parish the person came from, to confirm they were free to marry. Often the parish register in the place where they were baptised is marked with a note eg "married at St Peter's, Belfast on x date." As far as I am aware, this verification process still goes on today.

[Ringading]

Hi Elwyn,
Thanks so much for this, I assumed the couple would have to provide some evidence to qualify them marrying in a catholic church.
I also asked at the Long Tower, but unfortunately that particular record was in such a bad state, they were unable to even locate this particular marriage.
One other question, given the very rural location of Magherafelt, back in the 1850's, and its close proximity to Antrim, theoretically, could a child be baptised at a church that in reality could have fallen into the Antrim registration district.

I ask this because I have for many years being trying to locate a baptism for my GGrandfather, both in Londonderry where he lived, as well as Magherafelt where I believe he was born. All this to no avail. However, I can locate a marriage ( possible GG Grandfather) and subsequent baptism for G.Grandfather, in the listing for Antrim. I know this might be a long shot, but in your experience could this theoretically have occurred
I would be very interested in your thoughts.
Once again thank you so much for your interest.
Ringading

[aghadowey]

If the child was Catholic it would have been baptised in the parish church where the family were resident. If Church of Ireland this is also likely but if another religion, such as Presbyterian, then there was no restriction where a family could attend church, baptise a child, etc.

[Ringading]

Hi Aghadowey

Thank you so much for this information.
 correct me if I'm wrong, but this could, potentially  open up the fact that although born in Magherafelt, the registration could equally have been recorded under Antrim.
my next step I believe, is to check with the church the church of Ireland in Magherafelt and also the Presbyterian churches in these areas.  Any advice as to how I would go about this would be gratefully received.
With thanks
ringading

.

[aghadowey]

You seem to be talking about 2 separate things- civil records and church records.

If a child was born in Magherafelt then the registration of the birth comes under Magherafelt Poor Law Union/registration district NOT Antrim.

There are 2 steps to finding a possible baptism- you need to know what churches of a particular denomination were in that area and then you need to find out what records are available before you can search for them.

A few examples-
Church of Ireland records in Magherafelt go back to 1700s.

Presbyterian churches-
1st Magherafelt- baptisms 1703-1706, 1771-1780, 1813-1861, 1889-
Union Road- baptisms 1868-
Castledawson-baptisms 1809-
Lecumpher- baptisms 1825-

Methodist baptisms for Magherafelt Circuit (churches at castledawson, Maghera, Magherafelt) from 1825.

[DudleyWinchurch]

Although I think that the process of contacting the original church where a catholic baptism took place and adding a marginal note to the register to record date and place of marriage probably does still go on today, I don't think that this practice applied to all catholic parishes until maybe the early 20th Century.

When going through the registers of Holy Trinity Church in Bilston, Staffordshire, the earliest marriage dates that I noted recorded were about 1914, although of course the original baptism record was older, sometimes much older, than this. It's possible that the practice started there a little earlier than that, but the marriage of my grandparents in 1902 was not recorded on either of their baptism records.

It may be that the practice started earlier in Ireland.

[Elwyn Soutter]

Although I think that the process of contacting the original church where a catholic baptism took place and adding a marginal note to the register to record date and place of marriage probably does still go on today, I don't think that this practice applied to all catholic parishes until maybe the early 20th Century.

When going through the registers of Holy Trinity Church in Bilston, Staffordshire, the earliest marriage dates that I noted recorded were about 1914, although of course the original baptism record was older, sometimes much older, than this. It's possible that the practice started there a little earlier than that, but the marriage of my grandparents in 1902 was not recorded on either of their baptism records.

It may be that the practice started earlier in Ireland.

I have seen it in Irish parishes for baptism in the 1880s and onwards.

[Ringading]

Hi All,
Once again your advice and knowledge has been fantastic. Aghadowey thank you so much for the information you gave regarding the possible churches, I apologise for being unclear regarding Antrim, the way you have explained things makes a lot of sense.
As I don't live in Ireland, what in your opinion would be the best way of researching this information, given there are quite a few possible churches to cover. Would PRONI hold this information, or is there another avenue I could use.
Sorry if I appear obtuse,
with thanks
Ringading