What is in a "Return of a Marriage" ?

Recently I had a client looking for a marriage license for her deceased aunt.  They wanted to locate this marriage license because of the "Return of a Marriage" portion of the license.  The reason for locating this was because of privacy laws in Illinois.  The birth certificate is not yet 75 years old and the death certificate is not yet 20 years old.  Making these records only available to the parents, children, and grandchildren of the individual.  However,  marriage records are an open record in the state of Illinois. Although, some restrictions do apply on applications under 50 years old.  

In a previous blog (Illinois Marriage Certificates, 1860-1917)  I showed the progression of marriage licenses in Illinois.  Starting with simple forms only asking the name of the bride and groom.  Sometimes containing an affidavit by the groom stating the bride and groom were of legal age to marry.    In 1877 Illinois counties started to include a "Return of a Marriage" with the marriage license they filed.  This is a form that asked biographical information of both parties.  It also contains the signature of the bride and groom.  As well as the signature of witnesses.  In many cases the witnesses may be relatives of the bride and groom.  It should be noted that this is different from a marriage application.  That was a separate document filed.

For the biographical information it asked the name, age at next birthday, residence, parents names, race, place of birth, and number of marriages.  It does ask the maiden name of the bride in the case she was a widow.  For the groom his occupation was asked.  This information was supplied by the bride and groom, however, it is not always 100% accurate.  It should verified with any other sources you may have.

This can prove useful when a birth certificate was not filed for an individual.  In the state of Illinois birth certificates were not strictly mandated until 1916.  This would be helpful if the parties were of marrying age before 1916.  A birth certificate might not have been filed but the "Return of a Marriage" could have been.  Additionally the names of parents are not always filled out on a death certificate.  This is due to several factors.  The death certificate was filled out by a person in hospital records.  In most cases the very basic of vital information is filled out about the individual.  Another situation might be it was filled out by a child of the deceased.  The grandparents could have been deceased before the birth of the child.  In this case the child of the deceased may have not known or remembered the names of their grandparents.

A "Return of a Marriage" from 1892.

A "Return of a Marriage" from 1910.

A "Return of a Marriage" from 1917.

Illinois Marriage Certificates, 1860-1917

Today I thought I would share copies of marriage certificates that have occurred over time in the state of Illinois.  A majority of these marriages occurred in Will County.  However, there are a few that occurred outside of the county.  Prior to 1877 a marriage license provides little genealogical information.  After 1877 the marriage certificate includes a "Return of a Marriage to the County Clerk".  This document includes questions that both the bride and groom had answer.  This includes parental information, birth information, age, and number of marriages.  Although that does not mean they were always answered.  Or answered truthfully by both parties.

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Will County in 1861.

Filing information for the couple married in Will County in 1861.  The witnesses to the marriage signed just above where the words Marriage License is printed.  

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Will County in 1865.

Filing information for the couple married in Will County in 1865.  Once again the witnesses signature are present above the words Marriage License.  

Marriage certificate of a couple married in Will County in 1872.  

Filing information for the couple married in Will County in 1872.

Affidavit of marriage for couple married in Will County in 1872.  

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Kankakee County in 1876.  However, the marriage license was applied for and on file at the Will County Clerk's Office.

Affidavit for marriage of couple married in Kankakee County in 1876.  

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Will County in 1892. 

Filing information and "Return of a Marriage to County Clerk" for a couple married in Will County in 1892.

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Kane County in 1910.

Filing information for a couple married in Kane County in 1910.

"Return of a Marriage to County Clerk" for a couple married in Kane County in 1910. 

Marriage certificate for a couple married in Kane County in 1917.

Filing information and "Return of a Marriage to County Clerk" for a couple married in Kane County in 1917.  

Marriage affidavit for a couple married in Kane County in 1917. 

The "Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900"can be an aide in locating marriages that occurred in Illinois.  Marriages are searchable by the bride and grooms name.  Searches can be narrowed by county as well.  Currently 90 of Illinois' 98 counties are fully indexed and searchable.  Only four of the 98 counties have no entries.  Additionally, some counties go beyond the cutoff year of 1900.