hertsdirect.org Allen Marriage Index 1538

Allen Marriage Index 1538–c1837

This index contains marriage entries for all Hertfordshire Parishes from 1538–c1837. Also included are Hertfordshire Marriages reported in the Gentleman’s Magazine. Until civil registration began in 1837, parish registers are the only record of marriages throughout the United Kingdom (except for Jews and Quakers).

Early marriage registers only give the names of the couple. From 1754 onwards the couples names, parish, marital condition, whether they are married by licence or banns, name of officiating minister, signatures and witnesses is recorded. The couples address and occupation is not given until 1837.

In Hertfordshire there were 132 ancient parishes, each keeping separate series of registers. In addition to the ancient churches there are many more of modern origin, formed as chapels of ease or district churches within the larger, more populous parishes, and each being licensed to varying degrees to maintain separate series of registers.

The index was first created by Mr T F Allen in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Mr Allen extracted the information from the original parish registers and where necessary Bishops Transcripts.

We are extremely grateful to Mr Brian Gravestock who painstakingly copied Mr Allen’s transcripts into a database. Without Brian’s help this index would not be available online. To access the index please select the link on the right hand side.

Marriages after 1837 are not included in the index. Indexes of marriages from civil registration after September 1837 onwards are searchable by name through Free BMD.