Banns query

[Simon Mead]

In 1940 or 41 banns were read in Durham (Jarrow?) for a proposed wedding. Perhaps unknown to the groom, a recent convert to Catholicism, the banns were also read in his home parish. At that point the priest in his home parish approached his wife to confirm that he was indeed married: he was.

My question is, do you think might there still be a record/copy of those banns held anywhere and, if so, where would I best look?

Simon

[louisa maud]

I am sure the banns will have been  lodged in an archive somewhere in Durham,  along with the marriage records of anyone else in the church but sometimes these ledgers are kept at the church
Look online as to where the records are deposited

Louisa Maud

[JenB]

Tyne & Wear archives have banns records for some Jarrow Churches.

https://twarchives.org.uk/collection/user-guides-and-information
click on 'Parish registers on microfilm'. The initials 'bs' in the list denote Banns.

[Simon Mead]

Thank you for that information. I've gone to the site but must admit that I am struggling to work out how exactly to pursue my enquiry. Could someone with more experience than I perhaps lead me through the process, perhaps via PM?

[JenB]

The list I linked to just shows you which records are held by Tyne & Wear Archives.
You won’t get any more information from their website.
In order to get any further you’ll either have to visit the Archives if you live near enough, or request a lookup from someone (assuming that the Archives hold the banns records for the relevant church)

[Tickettyboo]

Look at the link JenB gave you, if they were both RC parishes then you need to look at the list of their holdings for RC churches on Tyneside.
Sadly I can't see any banns registers for any of the RC registers on microfilm at TWAS

IF one of them ( ? the bride) was C of E, then look down the list of marked Parish Registers and see if any in the likely area of her home parish have a banns register. (marked as bs in the individual listings for each church)

If you can identify which are the most likely parishes and get to the archives, you can check the microfilms to see if the banns for this particular marriage are in there.

If not and you have a good idea of which parish and a short time frame someone , if they are going to the archives and have time to look, may look it up for you.


Boo

[Tickettyboo]

Why do I always think of something else just after I post?

Another avenue (which may or may not end in a result) could be to email the parish priest in the most likely parish? The time frame you are talking about is fairly 'recent' and registers may still be held at the church. I am not sure if RC parishes actually kept banns registers, but if he has time he may be able to advise?
Though be aware that the priest may not feel it appropriate to pass the info along.

Boo

[Simon Mead]

The computer age has spoilt us somewhat. I thought that there might be records on-line that one could search. As it is I'm really just searching for corroborative evidence which, in light of what IS known, is probably unnecessary.
To expand on my initial post: There was offspring from the proposed union ( still living) - which never took place - and said offspring has had a strong DNA match with descendants of the 'potential bigamist'. In addition the 1939 Register shows said individual - a serviceman - to have been on the spot at that time.
So; it would have been nice to see the banns but perhaps that's a bridge too far.

Many thanks for your assistance,
Simon

[Tickettyboo]

Have you tried old newspapers in the North East?
It may have kept the gossipmongers of  the local area busy and if someone told the newspaper and it was a slow news day there 'may' be something in there?

Boo