Hampshire Marriage Index 1754 – 1837

Background Historical Information

On 25th March 1754, Hardwicke’s Marriage Act, came into being. The Act stated that a marriage could be solemnised only in a parish church after the publication of banns, or by a licence issued by the Bishop of the diocese. Banns books and marriage registers were required to be kept separate from books containing baptisms and burials. Parties under the age of 21 (minors) required the consent of parents or guardians to marry. Roman Catholics and other non-conformists (but not those of the Jewish faith or Quakers) had to marry in an Anglican church as well as their own church, to ensure the marriage was legal.