Genealogy Chat

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Thanks for that Heather - bookmarking for future ref. btw, dopey question, what's a marriage bond? (& did you sort out your problem with the name change?) Angela

Just saw a thread relating to this on the Family Tree Forum - found my GGFx4 Marriage Bond on there in Bermondsey - be warned the site isnt the easiest to navigate or order on. There is also a silly thing where every doc is called a Will when you make an order, even though it may be a Marriage Bond. Worth having a look though - £4 + VAT for a document: London Metropolitan Archives - London Signatures London Signatures currently includes 10,000 Archdeaconry Court of Middlesex Wills (AM/PW), covering the period 1609 -1810, and 23,500 Diocese of Winchester, Commissary for the Archdeaconry of Surrey marriage bonds (DW/MP), for the period 1673 - 1850. http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/corporation/wills/engine/wills_search.asp

I googled Marriage Bond so it was clearer than I could say: (always google for anything) Definition: In earlier times, a marriage bond was given to the court by the intended groom prior to his marriage. It affirmed that there was no moral or legal reason why the couple could not be married and it also affirmed that the groom would not change his mind. If he did, and did not marry the intended bride, he would forfeit the bond. The bondsman, or surety, was often a brother or uncle to the bride, not necessarily a parent. The bondsman could also be related to the groom, or even be a neighbor or friend, but those situations occurred less often.

No Angela, they havent admitted its possible, so how can I sort it?

Thanks for that - I have added it to my favourites. I use the LMA site a lot but didn't know you could search like that! I have tried a few of my family, but no luck as yet. When I have some time I'll try again.

Thanks for that Heather. Interesting as I just put surname in without any first names and lots of marriage details after 1837 - None of my family found but well worth a look. Regards Irene

They have only recently added the Surrey Marriages but the wills are still on there, so if you put in a search, click on more details to see if its a will or a marriage.

Wow, Heather, I've just found the Marriage Bond for my G x 4 Grandfather's brother - how exciting! Thank you very much for telling us about this new resource. Susan

It was thanks to people on the Family Tree Forum. I knew you could get wills on there but not these Marriages. Just downloaded my GGFx4, second marriage 1796 - amazing to see his handwriting.

So chuffed! I searched again armed with more information and have found the marriage bond for my g-g-g-g-g-grandfather!! So many thanks again.

'tis true, and the reason why I only have me in my tree here now.

Thanks, Heather. No longer stinker then? ... :-)

Dont start me on that Marion, GR's security is the stinker and we should all bear that in mind.