1850 marriage record

[jennywren001]

Gadget, after 1834 while priests and ministers not of the established church were allowed to conduct legal marriage ceremonies did the banns still need to be read out in the Kirk?

[Gadget]

Yes until 1855

Nonconformists had their own congregations and kept their own records. They could go to church wherever they wished and were not confined to parish boundaries. However, before 1834, nonconformist ministers were not authorized to perform marriages as clergyman; after 1834 they could perform marriages if the banns had first been read in the parish church. Total authority was granted in 1855.In the context of Scots Law as it applied until 1939 this only in practice affected the mode of marriage as until then any declaration of marriage in front of witnesses was valid although many might have failed to be recorded.

https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Scotland_Church_Records

I knew I'd seen it somewhere.


Gadget

[Gadget]

And, interestingly, no initials before 1834

[jennywren001]

So, in 1851 the Established Church in New Monkland is probably collecting funds from the West Chapel, the Parish Church and the Chapel in Clarkston (according to the Fasti they lost the High Chapel to the Free Kirk in 1843 and the East Chapel in 1851 due to coalworkings which undermined the building). I've scanned all the banns and where it say 'both' it's referring to both persons belonging to the parish...the only entries where the word 'both' does not appear is when one of the party is from outside the parish. In all likelihood the initials identify where the banns were read out. Does that sound about right? 

[Gadget]

I wasn't sure of the churches' names but as soon as I saw the single letters on the previous pages, I was sure it was referring to the churches - see:

Interesting that the page before doesn't have the first letter - just the W or G


Gadget

Added -were the churches referred to  as West and Graham Street and Calderbank 

Yes - clearly just the second letter - think it must be a ref to the particular churches - locations or whatever.

[jennywren001]

Thanks Gadget

[Rosinish]

Nothing beats determination, brilliant outcome girls!!!

Hope you both feel proud in your abilities to find the meanings of the initials, great work & so helpful for others who may have the same query!

One of the most interesting posers I've seen with a 'Scottish' record but equally interesting to learn the answer 

Annie