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Marriage records appear in civil registers, church records, licenses, and newspaper announcements. These records often contain specialized terminology describing legal permissions, ceremonial roles, and documentation of the marriage process.
| Term | Definition |
| Affidavit | Sworn statement supporting marriage application. |
| Allegation | Formal declaration of intent to marry (often in church records). |
| Annulment | Legal declaration that a marriage was invalid. |
| Banns | Public announcement of intended marriage in church. |
| Best Man | Principal male attendant to the groom. |
| Bride | Woman being married. |
| Bride’s Father | Parent traditionally giving consent for marriage. |
| Bride’s Residence | Location where bride lived at time of marriage. |
| Bridesmaid | Female attendant to the bride. |
| Certificate of Marriage | Document confirming marriage ceremony. |
| Church Marriage Register | Book recording marriages performed by clergy. |
| Civil Marriage | Marriage performed by government authority. |
| Clergyman | Minister performing the ceremony. |
| Cohabitation | Living together as husband and wife. |
| Consent | Legal permission required for minors to marry. |
| Contract Marriage | Formal agreement between parties. |
| County Clerk | Official responsible for marriage records. |
| Dowry | Property or money brought to marriage by bride. |
| Engagement | Agreement to marry. |
| Groom | Man being married. |
| Groom’s Residence | Location where groom lived at time of marriage. |
| License | Legal authorization to marry. |
| Marriage Application | Request submitted before license issuance. |
| Marriage Bond | Financial guarantee that marriage was lawful. |
| Marriage Certificate | Document issued after ceremony confirming marriage. |
| Marriage License | Official permission to marry. |
| Marriage Register | Book recording marriages within jurisdiction. |
| Marriage Return | Report filed by officiant confirming ceremony. |
| Matrimony | Legal union of spouses. |
| Minister | Clergy member performing ceremony. |
| Officiant | Person legally authorized to conduct marriage. |
| Parish Register | Church record book containing marriage entries. |
| Proxy Marriage | Marriage performed with one party absent. |
| Publication | Public notice of intended marriage. |
| Rector | Clergyman responsible for parish. |
| Solemnization | Formal performance of marriage ceremony. |
| Spouse | Married partner. |
| Surety | Person guaranteeing marriage bond. |
| Union | Marriage relationship. |
| Witness | Individual observing ceremony. |
| Widow | Woman whose spouse has died. |
| Widower | Man whose spouse has died. |
| Witnesses | Individuals signing marriage record. |
| Marriage Intent | Notice of planned marriage filed with authorities. |
| Marriage Entry | Recorded listing in marriage register. |
| Nuptials | Wedding ceremony. |
| Parish Clerk | Church official maintaining records. |
| Marriage Notice | Newspaper announcement of marriage. |
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