How to Use the Indexes to Marriage Registrations (RG 80-7)
The Indexes to Marriages (RG 80-7) are computerized print-outs that were created by the Office of the Registrar General in the 1960's to replace a manual indexing system. They index marriage registrations and delayed registrations. To use these indexes you need to know the name of the people whose marriage you are tracing and the year the marriage took place.
The registrations are indexed by both the surname of the groom and the maiden name of the bride. If the bride had been previously married, her married name is indexed rather than her maiden name.
The Marriage Indexes for 1873-1910 are arranged:
1. First, by surname initial
2. Then, by year of the marriage
3. Lastly, alphabetically by the full name.
The Marriage Indexes for 1911 and after are arranged:
1. First, by year of the marriage
2. Then, alphabetically by the full name.
The following is an image of a part of an index page:
Once You Have The Index Microfilm
The Indexes will list, reading from left to right:
Name: of the person at the time of the marriage. Remember to check every variation, including phonetic spellings and typographical errors.
Date of the marriage
Registration number: in the form xxx-xxx. Eliminate the dash and any zeros at the front of the number to determine the proper registration number.
Place of the registration: the nearest Town or Township Clerk's office
Year of the registration
If you find the marriage in the Indexes: Record the registration number and registration year. Then proceed to the appropriate link below.
What is the Registration Number?
Below 200,000?
Between 200,000 and 399,999?
If you do NOT find the marriage in the Indexes to Marriages (RG 80-7) there is a very slight chance that the registration was indexed in:
- Original Index Books
to Marriage Registrations (RG 80-24)
- for marriages taking place between 1870 and 1911
For marriages taking place between 1869 and 1872, consult:
- Original Index Books to
Birth, Marriage and Death Registrations (RG 80-11)
- for marriages taking place between July and December 1869 - Original Index Books
to Marriage Registrations (RG 80-24)
- for marriages taking place between 1870 and 1872