Marriage bonds and licences on FindMyPast

[Flemming]

This is probably a dumb question but are the Ireland Diocesan And Prerogative Marriage Licence Bonds Indexes 1623-1866 on FindMyPast just indexes - or have the actual bonds survived as well? Thanks, flemming.

[hallmark]

http://census.nationalarchives.ie/search/dm/home.jsp

[Gadget]

This is probably a dumb question but are the Ireland Diocesan And Prerogative Marriage Licence Bonds Indexes 1623-1866 on FindMyPast just indexes - or have the actual bonds survived as well? Thanks, flemming.

It has images but it looks as if they're just  handwritten indexes for each diocese with names of parties, date and page ref.

Gadget

[hallmark]

The original records were destroyed in the Public Record Office explosion of 1922, but indexes survive.

[Flemming]

Thanks to both. The National Archives at Hallmark's link clearly states the original records were destroyed in 1922, but FindMyPast says...

These records are the indexes of marriage licence bonds taken through diocesan and prerogative courts across Ireland. Copies were kept by the Public Records Office but many were destroyed in the explosion during the Irish Civil War in 1922.

... which could be interpreted (inaccurately) as meaning copies of original indexes were destroyed, rather than copies (or originals) of the actual bonds themselves.

Thanks again for the clarification.

[Gadget]

I don't think the actual bonds are on FindMyPast - just the indexes. I'll have another look to see if there are any actual bonds*.

Gadget

*Add - the title does stress Marriage Bond Indexes

[Flemming]

Yes, it does, but I think the wording is a little confusing. It would be clearer to my simple mind if it said 'Copies of the actual bonds themselves were kept by...etc.'

The National Archives' statement below is less equivocal, but it's just my view.
'The original records were destroyed in the Public Record Office explosion of 1922, but indexes survive, and record Protestant marriages as far back as 1623.'

[Gadget]

Just realised that they might record one of my distant ancestors - circa 1700. 

Thanks for bringing this set to my attention!


Gadget

[hallmark]

 It says....many were destroyed in the explosion during the Irish Civil War in 1922.

It doesn't say All....so obviously some were not destroyed in the explosion during the Irish Civil War in 1922.