Finding Marriage Records Online with FamilySearch.org

Finding Marriage Records Online with FamilySearch.org

This guide will walk you through finding marriage records online using FamilySearch.org.

Step 1: Access FamilySearch.org and Log In

• Open your web browser and go to FamilySearch.org.
• Click the "Sign In" button in the upper right corner.
• Enter your username and password. If you don't have an account, click "Free Account" and follow the prompts to create one. It's free and necessary to access all features.

Step 2: Navigate to the Records Search Page

• Once logged in, locate the main navigation bar at the top of the page.
• Click on "Search".
• From the dropdown menu that appears, select "Records". This will take you to the main historical records search page.

Step 3: Enter Initial Search Criteria

• On the search page, you'll see fields to enter information about the person you're looking for.
• In the "First Name" and "Last Name" fields, enter the name of one of the spouses (e.g., the husband or wife's maiden name if known). Start with one name to keep it broad initially.
• In the "Place Your Ancestor Lived" field, type the city, county, state, or country where you believe the marriage took place. FamilySearch will offer suggestions as you type; select the most appropriate one.
• In the "Birth Year" or "Death Year" fields, enter an approximate year or range for the individual to help narrow the search.

Step 4: Add Marriage Event Details

• Scroll down the search form until you see the section labeled "Add Information".
• Click the "Add Event" button.
• In the new fields that appear:
  • For the "Event Type", type "Marriage" and select "Marriage" from the dropdown suggestions.
  • If you know an approximate "Marriage Year" or "Marriage Place", enter that information into the respective fields. This is crucial for targeting marriage records specifically.
• You can also click "Add Relationship" and enter the name of the spouse you didn't enter initially to refine your search further.

Step 5: Execute and Refine Your Search

• After entering your information, click the blue "Search" button.
• Review the list of results that appear. On the left side of the screen, you will see a panel with various filters.
• Use these filters to refine your search if you have too many results:
  • "Collection": Filter by specific record sets (e.g., "United States Marriages").
  • "Places": Narrow down locations.
  • "Dates": Adjust the year range for the marriage.
  • "Spouse": If you haven't already, add or adjust the spouse's name.

Step 6: Review Search Results and Examine the Record

• When you find a promising result, click on the entry. This will often open a summary of the record details.
• Look for key information like the names of the bride and groom, marriage date, marriage place, and often the names of parents or witnesses.
• If an image of the original record is available, you will see a "View Image" button. Click this to view the actual scanned document. This is often the most valuable part, as it may contain additional details not indexed.
• Carefully transcribe or save the relevant information from the record. You can also use the "Attach to Family Tree" option if you have a FamilySearch Family Tree.