Finding Free Marriage and Divorce Records: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you searching for free records of someone's marriage or divorce history? While the process may seem daunting at first, with the right strategies, you can access these important documents. This article will guide you through the steps to find free marriage records and divorce records in the United States.

Understanding Marriage Records

Marriage records, also known as certificates or licenses, are created and maintained by county probate courts. These records are typically recorded from the date of the county's creation and may include the following information:

Names of the bride and groom Date and place of the marriage Name of the officiating authority Occasionally, place of residence, birth age, and/or names of parents Note: Marriage records prior to 1899 generally do not provide the names of the couple's parents

To search for these records, you need to know the county where the marriage took place and the time period of that marriage. Unfortunately, there is no statewide index for marriages, so you must search county by county.

How to Search for Marriage Records

The first step is to identify the county where the marriage occurred. Here are some strategies to help you:

1. Check the U.S. Federal Census

The U.S. Federal Census can provide clues about where the couple was living just before or after the marriage. They may have been married in that county. Use online census records available on services like Ancestry or FamilySearch to search by name.

For example, you can find census records online through the Archives and Library, which offer print indexes and microfilmed census records. These services are available on the computers in the archives and library.

2. Utilize Online Collections

To determine if the Archives and Library have marriage records for a specific county, perform a keyword search in their online Collections Catalog. For instance, search for: 'Knox County Probate Marriage'.

3. Contact Local Probate Courts and County Archives

If the records are not available in the Archives and Library, contact the local Probate Court or county archives to find out where the records are housed. Additionally, check the Online Collections Catalog for indexes done by county genealogical and historical societies. Having the index citation will help you when contacting the county's probate court to request the record.

Accessing Marriage Records Through the Church of Latter Day Saints

Many courthouse records in Ohio have been filmed by the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and can be accessed through their website, FamilySearch.

The database on FamilySearch is free but requires an account to view the original documents. The database is not entirely name-indexed, so your ancestors may not appear in search results after a full query. Instead, you can browse the collection by county using the link at the bottom of the page: Ohio County Marriages 1789-2013.

Conclusion

While the process of finding free marriage and divorce records can be challenging, with the right resources and some patience, you can access important historical documents. By utilizing online census records, county archives, the Archives and Library, and FamilySearch, you can uncover the details of your ancestors' marriages and divorces. Remember, the key is to start with a clear understanding of the county and time period, then use the available resources to piece together the information.

Happy researching!