Finding Ancestors' Marriage Licenses in FamilySearch Records

Finding Ancestors' Marriage Licenses in FamilySearch Records

This guide will help you find your ancestors' marriage licenses and certificates using FamilySearch.org records.

Step 1: Access the Main Search Page

• Begin by navigating to FamilySearch.org and logging in.
• From the top navigation menu, click "Search", then select "Records" to access the main historical records search page.

Step 2: Enter Ancestor's Information

• On the search page, enter your ancestor's first and last name.
• Crucially, fill in the "Spouse" section with their spouse's first and last name.
• Click "+ Add Event", select "Marriage", and enter the approximate year (e.g., "1885" or "1880-1890") and place (e.g., "Albany, New York, United States") of marriage.
• You can add other known details like birth or death if they help narrow the search.
• Click the blue "Search" button.

Step 3: Refine Your Search Results

• Review the results. Under "Filter Your Results" on the left, click "Collections" to see relevant marriage collections.
• Under "Record Type," filter by "Vital Records" or "Marriage".
• Adjust "Event Place" or "Event Year" filters as needed.
• Pay attention to icons: a filmstrip often means image-only records, while a document icon means indexed records.

Step 4: Browse Specific Collections via the Catalog (If Direct Search Fails)

• If a direct search fails, try browsing. From the top menu, click "Search" then "Catalog".
• In the "Place" field, enter the county, state, or country of marriage (e.g., "Montgomery County, Pennsylvania") and click "Search".
• Look for topics like "Vital Records", "Marriage", or "Court Records".
• Click on a relevant collection title. A camera icon under "Format" indicates digitized images; click it to browse the records.

Step 5: Examine the Marriage Record

• Carefully review the opened record or image. Marriage licenses typically include full names of bride and groom, marriage date and place, parents' names, and sometimes witnesses or previous marital statuses.
• Look for clues and confirm existing information.
• Attach the record to your ancestor's profile in your FamilySearch family tree.