1. Date of posting
 
2. Name and residence of intended groom
 
3. Name and residence of intended bride
 
4. Posting number
 

Marriage Banns

Marriage Banns

 
Posting banns, one way of announcing the intent to marry, was a common religious practice during the colonial era.
As shown in the example, a minister posted banns to give people time to give reasons why the intended should not be married.
People objected when one of the parties had been married previously and had not obtained a legal divorce or if the intended were too closely related. Although not encouraged, some first cousins were allowed to marry, but those with closer blood ties could not.


© Palladium Interactive, Inc. 1997.
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