Re: NYC Marriage records

R J Nichols (rmn1@juno.com)
Wed, 1 Jan 1997 20:58:28 PST

NYC marriage licenses were issued beginning in 1866. I happen to have
had an ancestor who was issued one (2/11/1866). It contained the
following:
1. Full name of Groom
2. Place of Residence
3. Age
4 (Blank)
5 Occupation
6 Place of Birth
7 Father's Name
8 Mother Maiden Name
9 No. of Groom's Marriage
10 Full Name of Bride
11 Place of Residence
12 Age
13 (Blank)
14 Place of Birth
15 Father's Name
16 Mother's Maiden Name
17 same as 9
At nos 4 and 13 state if Colored: if other races specify what. At nos 9
and 17 state whethers 1st, 2nd, etc.

The license also listed the names of Witnesses and the name and address
of the person officiating.

In this particular instance, I learned a great deal. However, I was
perplexed at a death certificate for the groom in 1886. He was listed
as single. I went back to the marriage license and then searched for
more info on the person who married my gggrandfather. He was buried in
Calvary Catholic cemetery. A further search showed that he was married
in a Methodist church. This cleared up the mystery surrounding his
marriage and death but never cleared up how his children were all raised
in the Catholic faith.

Although NYC began keeping vital records since 1866, not everyone
registered for a license; not until much later.

Hope this helps someone.

Rich Nichols
St Petersburg, FL
rmn1@Juno.com

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