Churches Page Co., IA.

Churches
Section 3. 1. Introduction

Churches were among the earliest keepers of marriage records. As early as 1640 both Virginia and Massachusetts had passed laws requiring Ministers to present a "Record" of the marriage's they performed to civil officials in the Town or County.

TOWN AND COUNTY GOVERMENTS:

Page County Clerks issued documents "Application License" granting permission for a couple to marry. These were filled out by both the bride and groom. The Marriage Application list the full name of the bride and groom, their residences, races, ages, birthdates, occupations, and the parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations. These "Application License" were returned to the Clerk after the ceremony had taken place from Ministers and Justices of the Peace in the Town or County, and a "Marriage Certificate" was issued. The Clerks then compiled these "Records" in a "Marriage Register".

See Section 3.4 TOWNS and TOWNSHIPS for dates formed and location of boundry lines.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE:

Iowa authorized the election or appointment of "Justice of the Peace" who could perform marriages. Like ministers, Justices were also required to submit a "Record" of the marriages they performed to civil authorities. Justices also maintained their own registers, often in "Personal Account" books where they recorded the fees paid. They sometimes contain additional marriage and other information not forwarded to the civil authorities. Some Justices records can be found in care of County Clerk, Clarinda, Page County, Iowa.

CONSENT AFFIDAVITS:

In Page County, Iowa the legal age for marriage was 16 years for the male and 14 years for the female. In a few instantaneous a parent or guardian appeared with the underage person and gave verbal permission. The Record will show that the parent was present and was known to the Clerk but may not record the name.

The underlying philosophy of this work is the belief that the family is the basic unit of government and that our future depends on strong families. The pioneers recorded in this work, braved great hardships, married, established homes, reared families and instilled values of perseverance, bravery, thrift, patience, tolerance, and respect for their fellow man in their descendants. In reading accounts of the weddings one is impressed with the descriptive phrases concerning the "high respect" for the young people, the appreciation for their talents and endeavors, the wishes for their prosperity and happiness. There is also a realistic approach and the editors of the "Clarinda Herald and the Page County Democrat" often did not mince words when they felt the need to express concern about their fellow-man.

Each individual has his or her imprint on history. Attitudes, values, philosophies, knowledge, talents, social graces and customs are all passed on to the next generation in one way or another, subtly or directly, and become a part of the future. It is hoped that this work will develop an appreciation of those who have gone before, create a desire to keep those principles and values which served the pioneers so well, and in so doing will also perhaps entertain the reader in some small way.

See Section 3.1 "Those Who Officiated" list of Reverends, with Churches, locations, and dates of service.

See Section 3.2 "Churches Then & Now" list of Churches, history, location, built, closed, pastors.

Source: Page Co., Iowa
Some Early Marriages 1850 to 1899
Compiled by Paul R. Sarrett, 7117 E. Clydesdale Ave.,
Orange Co., CA. 92667, Phone 714-771-8410 Copyrighted 1983-1989

Source & Reference: Section 8.

E-Mail: Paul R. Sarrett, Jr. Page Co., Coordinator