Diocese of Down, Connor & Dromore Marriage Licence

[Melbell]

Because of my ignorance of NI geography etc. I am confused about a Marriage Licence issued by the Diocese of Down, Connor & Dromore in 1834 to William ALDERDICE and Maria BRADSHAW.  I found reference to it in the Ireland Diocesan & Prerogative Marriage Licence Bonds Index and have assumed that this is a Church of Ireland (Anglican) marriage, but please can someone with more knowledge confirm this for me.  I tried to be good and look in the Down Resources list but the Diocese of Down detailed there under Church of Ireland appears to be a Roman Catholic diocese - but this must be my mistake?

This couple lived in Belfast and their children, starting in 1836, were baptised at St. Ann's Shankill (CofI).  I don't think I will be able to get a marriage certificate or any other details but could someone suggest which church they might have got married in please?

Sorry for my confusion.

Thank you,
Melbell

[Sinann]

Is this the record set it was in. http://census.nationalarchives.ie/search/dm/home.jsp
Than yes it's Church of Ireland.

[Sinann]

The RC one is Down and Connor.
COI is Down, Connor and Dromore.
I think
Enough to confuse a bishop of any and all donomations.

[Melbell]

Dear Sinann

Thank you for your help.  Yes, that's the entry, although I found it on FindMyPast.

Would you be kind enough to explain if the couple could have got married in  Shankill Belfast using this Licence?

Melbell

[Sinann]

The Licence records are part of a set of new records released by the Nationsl Archives last week, Find My Past also has them.
http://www.genealogy.nationalarchives.ie/


As to where the Licence could be used, sorry but I haven't a clue, I sure there will be someone along soon who will know.

[Melbell]

Sinann, thank you once again, and for the new link.

Melbell

[Elwyn Soutter]

Dear Sinann

Thank you for your help.  Yes, that's the entry, although I found it on FindMyPast.

Would you be kind enough to explain if the couple could have got married in  Shankill Belfast using this Licence?

Melbell

Belfast is within the Down & Connor area, so I should think it would be valid for a marriage at St Anne's or other churches in that area. You won't get a marriage certificate for a marriage in 1836 or earlier as they hadn't been introduced (1845) but you might still find the entry in the church registers. The marriage records for St Anne's do still survive (in contrast to the licences which do not). Their marriage records were never sent to Dublin. There's a copy in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast, and I think they are on-line on some pay to view sites. However don't expect too much information from them. Mostly all you get is the couples names, the date of the ceremony and the names of their witnesses.

[Melbell]

Dear Elwyn

Thank you sooooooooo much for your reply.
Even if I cannot get the marriage entry (which I will investigate) it's great for me to know that the couple were probably both local to Belfast and could well have married in St. Ann's Shankill.

Melbell