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In some locations, churches, congregations, and synagogues kept marriage records before civil authorities. The Commonwealths of Virginia and Massachusetts required ministers to present a record of the marriages they performed to civil officials. In most cases, the minister retained a copy of the marriages he submitted. |
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Most marriage records created by a religious denomination have remained in the custody of the local congregation or parish where they were created. |
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Write to the congregation to which an ancestor's family belonged to obtain a copy of an entry. If the records have been transferred to archives or library, the current rabbi or an assistant may send the inquiry on to that facility or advise you of the address. Whenever possible, send a contribution to the congregation as a token of appreciation for the time and postage required to respond to your request ($10.00 per search would be appropriate). |
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