Marriage Banns - advice on please?

[Brickwall Demolisher]

Hi all,
   Thanks for looking to see if you can help,..... Marriage Banns,... how much can they help us?, ...What info do they hold?. .... Do they hold anything other than location and abode, ...Parent's - What if none/any of theirs are alive - Who stands in?... Age ?.... Can time, amount of living/being in the area, come into consideration.... I believe banns have to be in effect, 1 month before the wedding, am I correct? ..... Did witnesses have to have known the intended newlyweds for a minimal amount of time?  Could witnesses be or not be close family members? Any further information appreciated.
  Many thanks everyone, JUST J

[Girl Guide]

Banns are announced in the church or churches of the bride and groom for three consecutive Sundays before the marriage date.

As far as I can recall they just state the bride and groom's names and the dates the banns were called.  Nothing else.

The marriage certificate will provide more information.

Be aware also that sometimes banns were called but the marriage didn't take place for whatever reason.

[familydar]

Banns don't normally say anything about parentage or relatives.  You'll normally get abode as in parish, condition (bach, sp etc), occasionally occ and that's about it.  The whole congregation would be witnesses, nobody specifically named.

[stanmapstone]

At least one of the marrying couple had to have be resident in the parish which they wished to be married in (usually that of the bride) for at least three weeks; the banns of the other party were read in his/her parish of residence
No minister was obliged to publish banns unless the parties delivered to him at least seven days before the time required for the first publication, a notice in writing giving their names, address within the parish, and the time they had been living there. The seven days' notice was not always insisted on, especially when the minister was acquainted with the parties so the residence could be two weeks.
The banns were read for three Sundays, that is two weeks, and the marriage could take place immediately after the third reading. Although it is not legally necessary for the Sundays to be consecutive, they usually are, and banns are effective for three months after publication.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

If one of the parties lived in another parish the banns of the other party were read in his/her parish of residence, and a certificate provided from the clergyman stating it was properly done. A clergyman must not solemnise a marriage in the parish where one resides, without a certificate showing that the banns had been published in the parish of the other person.
All the law required was two  credible witnesses without defining what 'credible' means. They can be anybody, but are usually the best man and one of the bridesmaids. 
Stan

[Liam59]

If it was a marriage taking place in a Registry Office, non-religious location or in a Church other than Church of England or Catholic, it would also need to be given notice at the local registry office and notice of the forthcoming wedding would be on public display for 28 days.

I think the notices published in the Registry Office state name, address and intended venue of the ceremony and also possibly age, marital status, occupation and nationality as well.

[stanmapstone]

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.
The marriage could be solemnized by a Clergyman of the Established Church of England subject to his being willing to accept the Certificate in lieu of Banns.

Always bear in mind that the marriage laws have changed over time so when the marriage took place is relevant.

Also see http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=527964.msg3826513#msg3826513

Stan

[stanmapstone]

I think the notices published in the Registry Office state name, address and intended venue of the ceremony and also possibly age, marital status, occupation and nationality as well.

The notice must be in the form of a schedule, which the superintendent-registrar will furnish on being applied to, and must be filled up with the following particulars:--
The name and surname of each of the parties.
Whether bachelor or widower, spinster or widow.
Their respective rank, profession, or calling.
Whether minors, or of full age.
Their respective dwelling-places.
Whether they have resided within the district more than one calendar month, or if not, how long.
In what church or building the marriage is to be solemnized. The districts and county in which the other party resides when they dwell in different districts.
See  http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=748734.msg5964699#msg5964699

Stan

[stanmapstone]

Hi Brickwall Demolisher
Did you find any of the replies helpful? It's nice to know if they were.

Stan