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Early wedding announcements varied more than births did, but they had a basic form:  
Early wedding announcements varied more than births did, but they had a basic form:  
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<br> The two family names are given ''with the groom’s name always first''. The place is given, the date, the clergyman’s name and the names of the participants. This example includes the groom’s occupation, which is unusual. The bride’s first name is given, here using only a diminutive, with her father’s name following. As with the birth, the mother’s role in parenting is ignored.  
The two family names are given ''with the groom’s name always first''. The place is given, the date, the clergyman’s name and the names of the participants. This example includes the groom’s occupation, which is unusual. The bride’s first name is given, here using only a diminutive, with her father’s name following. As with the birth, the mother’s role in parenting is ignored.  


The form of the bride’s name (‘Lizzie, daughter of Wm. Hunking’) reflects the thinking of that time that a woman was ‘somebody’s daughter until she was somebody’s wife’ no matter what her age.  
The form of the bride’s name (‘Lizzie, daughter of Wm. Hunking’) reflects the thinking of that time that a woman was ‘somebody’s daughter until she was somebody’s wife’ no matter what her age.  


Genealogically, this is a good announcement because the researcher has the full date and place. The fact that the clergyman’s name is given will lead to further research to confirm the date using the church records. The church can be located by looking the clergyman up in a city directory of the time. The directory will connect the clergyman to his church, and researchers can then determine if the church still exists, if it has been replaced by another institution or if it is defunct, and where its records are now located. In addition, Lizzie’s position in the family birth order is given, a help if not known from another source. The use of ‘eldest’ tells us Mr. Hunking had at least three daughters.  
Genealogically, this is a good announcement because the researcher has the full date and place. The fact that the clergyman’s name is given will lead to further research to confirm the date using the church records. The church can be located by looking the clergyman up in a city directory of the time. The directory will connect the clergyman to his church, and researchers can then determine if the church still exists, if it has been replaced by another institution or if it is defunct, and where its records are now located. In addition, Lizzie’s position in the family birth order is given, a help if not known from another source. The use of ‘eldest’ tells us Mr. Hunking had at least three daughters.  
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<br> This charming announcement contains a one-word editorial on the subject of the new Mrs. Mott’s personality.  
This charming announcement contains a one-word editorial on the subject of the new Mrs. Mott’s personality.  


Although marriage announcements in this form continue to be used today, especially in large urban newspapers, the general interest in hearing more about weddings led quickly to longer announcements. These were removed from the BMD column and placed either in a column of their own (sometimes confined to the Saturday or Sunday newspaper) or mixed in with other social news. These longer announcements grew and grew as time went on, until they became detailed accounts of the wedding which included descriptions of the clothes and flowers. Usually, only very small-town newspapers continue to publish these lengthy pieces now, although even such a large publication as ''The New York Times'' has wedding announcements which include information about the participants’ social background, occupations and even tales of how they met. In August 2002, the ''Times'' announced that its weddings page was changing it policy and would be renamed to ‘Weddings/Celebrations’ and would for the future include gay and lesbian weddings, and joining celebrations of a non-legal nature, which shows how things continue to evolve, as they have from the beginning of the BMD column.  
Although marriage announcements in this form continue to be used today, especially in large urban newspapers, the general interest in hearing more about weddings led quickly to longer announcements. These were removed from the BMD column and placed either in a column of their own (sometimes confined to the Saturday or Sunday newspaper) or mixed in with other social news. These longer announcements grew and grew as time went on, until they became detailed accounts of the wedding which included descriptions of the clothes and flowers. Usually, only very small-town newspapers continue to publish these lengthy pieces now, although even such a large publication as ''The New York Times'' has wedding announcements which include information about the participants’ social background, occupations and even tales of how they met. In August 2002, the ''Times'' announced that its weddings page was changing it policy and would be renamed to ‘Weddings/Celebrations’ and would for the future include gay and lesbian weddings, and joining celebrations of a non-legal nature, which shows how things continue to evolve, as they have from the beginning of the BMD column.  


In the '''''Oshawa Daily Reformer''''' under the heading “Women’s Daily Interests” the following wedding appeared:  
In the '''''Oshawa Daily Reformer''''' under the heading “Women’s Daily Interests” the following wedding appeared:  
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<br> This announcement includes two unusual spellings which modern readers will wonder about; the first is the small ‘s’ on ‘street’. It was a newspaper convention that street-names were spelled this way, and the compositor has done so even though in this case it is a proper name. The second is that the maid of honour’s name has been misspelled, as proper names often were in newspapers of that time. Although the Fice name is given three times in the short paragraph, it appears correctly twice and wrong once.  
This announcement includes two unusual spellings which modern readers will wonder about; the first is the small ‘s’ on ‘street’. It was a newspaper convention that street-names were spelled this way, and the compositor has done so even though in this case it is a proper name. The second is that the maid of honour’s name has been misspelled, as proper names often were in newspapers of that time. Although the Fice name is given three times in the short paragraph, it appears correctly twice and wrong once.  


{{tip|This uncertainty about spelling of names in old newspapers is something which genealogists should both be aware of and beware of.}}<br>  
{{tip|This uncertainty about spelling of names in old newspapers is something which genealogists should both be aware of and beware of.}}<br>  
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'''''The Vancouver Daily Province''''' of 25 April 1947 included a column headed “For the Brides-Elect” which illustrates both the rather coy manner associated with weddings at the time, and the types of parties our forebears might have enjoyed associated with their weddings:  
'''''The Vancouver Daily Province''''' of 25 April 1947 included a column headed “For the Brides-Elect” which illustrates both the rather coy manner associated with weddings at the time, and the types of parties our forebears might have enjoyed associated with their weddings:  
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<br> Modern readers will immediately notice some vocabulary which is either unfamiliar or no longer used the same way. This is a situation which arises in all reading of old newspapers, which are always written in a vernacular peculiar to their own time and, sometimes, to newspapers themselves.  
Modern readers will immediately notice some vocabulary which is either unfamiliar or no longer used the same way. This is a situation which arises in all reading of old newspapers, which are always written in a vernacular peculiar to their own time and, sometimes, to newspapers themselves.  


The term ‘bride-elect’ is one we rarely see now and simply means ‘prospective bride’. In our day we might use ‘fiancée’ although this word has taken on more the meaning of ‘live-in girlfriend’ in 2002. The ''Province'' also uses ‘groom-elect’ in the excerpt above, although this is not a common usage.  
The term ‘bride-elect’ is one we rarely see now and simply means ‘prospective bride’. In our day we might use ‘fiancée’ although this word has taken on more the meaning of ‘live-in girlfriend’ in 2002. The ''Province'' also uses ‘groom-elect’ in the excerpt above, although this is not a common usage.  
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Here is a more extensive wedding report from the same period:<br>  
Here is a more extensive wedding report from the same period:<br>  


{{Note|''Rosemary Connolly and John Gourley are Married Here: Lovely Wedding Solemnized in St. Patrick’s Church Followed by Breakfast at Cosmopolitan A lovely wedding of much interest took place at 9:30 o’clock this morning in St. Patrick’s church, when Rosemary, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Connolly of Medicine Hat, was united in marriage to John Joseph Gourley, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gourley of Calgary. The Rev. Father M. J. Fitzpatrick officiated. While Mrs. J. F. Kane, organist of the church, played the familiar wedding march from ‘Lohengrin’ the bridal party entered the church, the bride being given in marriage by her father. She was attired in a lovely lace-trimmed white satin gown, with veil and orange blossoms and long white silk gloves, her bouquet being of premier roses and lily-of-the-valley. The bridesmaid, Miss Alice Kuntz, wore maize-colored silk organdie with matching accessories and carried a bouquet of blue-shaded delphiniums. Two enjoyable vocal solos were presented by Mrs. C. P. Klein, of Calgary, and Mrs. Harold Scott, of Medicine Hat. Mr. Percy Giroux, of Calgary, acted as best man for Mr. Gourley. The ushers were Charles Connolly and Edward Kane. The altar was beautifully decorated with autumn flowers, while the front pews were marked by snapdragons and white satin streamers. Immediately following the ceremony, a wedding breakfast was served in the Cosmopolitan hotel. The guests were received by the bride’s mother, who wore a becoming gown of black crepe trimmed with lace, with hat to match. The centre table was decorated with sweet peas and centred by a three-tiered wedding cake. The toast to the bride was proposed by Father Fitzpatrick, and answered by the bridegroom. Those who attended the wedding breakfast were: Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Gourley, Mr. and Mrs. A. Connolly, Charles Connolly, Norman Connolly, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Bechtel, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Winter, Mr. and Mrs. D. Nicholson, Mrs. Fred Mills, Miss Rose Galonski, Rev. J. M. Fitzpatrick, Miss Alice Kuntz, and Mrs. A. Gourley, Sr., Mrs. A. Gourley, Jr., Mrs and Mrs. G. Percey, Miss Peggy Gourley, Mrs. and Mrs. C. P. Klein, all of Calgary. Mr. and Mrs. Gourley are leaving on today’s 5:30 train for Lethbridge, where they will spend their honeymoon. They will make their home in Calgary. (Medicine Hat News, 25 September 1935)''}} <br>
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| ''Rosemary Connolly and John Gourley are Married Here: <br>
 
Lovely Wedding Solemnized in St. Patrick’s Church Followed by Breakfast at Cosmopolitan A lovely wedding of much interest took place at 9:30 o’clock this morning in St. Patrick’s church, when Rosemary, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Connolly of Medicine Hat, was united in marriage to John Joseph Gourley, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gourley of Calgary. The Rev. Father M. J. Fitzpatrick officiated. While Mrs. J. F. Kane, organist of the church, played the familiar wedding march from ‘Lohengrin’ the bridal party entered the church, the bride being given in marriage by her father. She was attired in a lovely lace-trimmed white satin gown, with veil and orange blossoms and long white silk gloves, her bouquet being of premier roses and lily-of-the-valley. The bridesmaid, Miss Alice Kuntz, wore maize-colored silk organdie with matching accessories and carried a bouquet of blue-shaded delphiniums. Two enjoyable vocal solos were presented by Mrs. C. P. Klein, of Calgary, and Mrs. Harold Scott, of Medicine Hat. Mr. Percy Giroux, of Calgary, acted as best man for Mr. Gourley. The ushers were Charles Connolly and Edward Kane. The altar was beautifully decorated with autumn flowers, while the front pews were marked by snapdragons and white satin streamers. Immediately following the ceremony, a wedding breakfast was served in the Cosmopolitan hotel. The guests were received by the bride’s mother, who wore a becoming gown of black crepe trimmed with lace, with hat to match. The centre table was decorated with sweet peas and centred by a three-tiered wedding cake. The toast to the bride was proposed by Father Fitzpatrick, and answered by the bridegroom. Those who attended the wedding breakfast were: Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Gourley, Mr. and Mrs. A. Connolly, Charles Connolly, Norman Connolly, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Bechtel, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Winter, Mr. and Mrs. D. Nicholson, Mrs. Fred Mills, Miss Rose Galonski, Rev. J. M. Fitzpatrick, Miss Alice Kuntz, and Mrs. A. Gourley, Sr., Mrs. A. Gourley, Jr., Mrs and Mrs. G. Percey, Miss Peggy Gourley, Mrs. and Mrs. C. P. Klein, all of Calgary. Mr. and Mrs. Gourley are leaving on today’s 5:30 train for Lethbridge, where they will spend their honeymoon. They will make their home in Calgary. (Medicine Hat News, 25 September 1935)''
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This account would certainly have been written ahead of time, to make the same day’s newspaper. In addition to elements of wedding reporting we have seen in the shorter versions above, here the reader is almost a participant, hearing the wedding march as the bride enters the church, with full descriptions of the principal frocks and flowers. The list of guests is useful, since it includes a number of relations. In that more formal age, most are referred to as ‘Mr.’ and ‘Mrs.’ but what about the two who are not, Charles and Norman Connolly? The missing ‘Mr.’ makes it clear these are boys, not yet old enough for the title. Young women, such as Peggy Gourley, are more likely to have the ‘Miss’ added to their name despite their youth. <br>  
This account would certainly have been written ahead of time, to make the same day’s newspaper. In addition to elements of wedding reporting we have seen in the shorter versions above, here the reader is almost a participant, hearing the wedding march as the bride enters the church, with full descriptions of the principal frocks and flowers. The list of guests is useful, since it includes a number of relations. In that more formal age, most are referred to as ‘Mr.’ and ‘Mrs.’ but what about the two who are not, Charles and Norman Connolly? The missing ‘Mr.’ makes it clear these are boys, not yet old enough for the title. Young women, such as Peggy Gourley, are more likely to have the ‘Miss’ added to their name despite their youth. <br>  
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Genealogists looking for marriage records for these people may have trouble finding them, because the town where the wedding was accomplished may have no other connections to the family or to the couple in question. One way out of this problem is to find a news item which tells about the wedding in the couple’s hometown newspaper. The town will be mentioned and the researcher can then look for the record there. <br>  
Genealogists looking for marriage records for these people may have trouble finding them, because the town where the wedding was accomplished may have no other connections to the family or to the couple in question. One way out of this problem is to find a news item which tells about the wedding in the couple’s hometown newspaper. The town will be mentioned and the researcher can then look for the record there. <br>  


{{Note|''Samuel Earl and his wife, née Miss Prince, were passengers on Wednesday’s train from Salt Lake City, where they were married on the 8th. ('''The Alberta Star,''' 18 April 1908) ''}} <br>
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| ''Samuel Earl and his wife, née Miss Prince, were passengers on Wednesday’s train from Salt Lake City, where they were married on the 8th. ('''The Alberta Star,''' 18 April 1908) ''
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{{Note|''Miss Mabel Foster and Wilfred (Curly) Commodore were married in Medicine Hat, Saturday, Sept. 7. The bride’s aunt, Mrs. J. Wethereldt of Wild Horse gave a big wedding dinner for the bridal pair, relatives and friends on Sunday, Sept. 8. ('''Medicine Hat News''', 21 September 1935, in the Manyberries community news)''}} <br>
 
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| ''Miss Mabel Foster and Wilfred (Curly) Commodore were married in Medicine Hat, Saturday, Sept. 7. The bride’s aunt, Mrs. J. Wethereldt of Wild Horse gave a big wedding dinner for the bridal pair, relatives and friends on Sunday, Sept. 8. ('''Medicine Hat News''', 21 September 1935, in the Manyberries community news)''
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The Commodore-Foster notice, which is from a rural community social column, shows that the family knew Mabel and Curly were going to be married, because Mabel’s aunt would have needed time to prepare the ‘big dinner’ the following day. An informal celebration following a ‘railway wedding’ would not be unusual and would have the same festive purpose as a formal reception, without the expense. <br>  
The Commodore-Foster notice, which is from a rural community social column, shows that the family knew Mabel and Curly were going to be married, because Mabel’s aunt would have needed time to prepare the ‘big dinner’ the following day. An informal celebration following a ‘railway wedding’ would not be unusual and would have the same festive purpose as a formal reception, without the expense. <br>  
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| ''Recent Deaths: William M. Horsey<br>William M. Horsey, former Police Magistrate of Bowmanville and a pioneer resident died at his home there Saturday, January 1, in his 96th year.<br>The late Mr. Horsey was born in Colyton, Devon, England in 1832, and came to Canada when 14 years of age. With his parents, he resided for some years at Kingston where he completed his education and later married Margaret Wilson of Ganonoque. In 1858 the family moved to Bowmanville and after several years in the hardware business, returned to Kingston. In 1874 he returned here and carried on business for some years, later becoming associated with the Dominion Organ and Piano Company.<br>In April, 1902, on the death of George C. Haines, he was appointed Police Magistrate for the town of Bowmanville and after occupying the post for 23 years retired in 1925, being succeeded by Barrister W. F. Ward, B.A. He was Mayor of Bowmanville in 1886 and 1887 and served as Reeve and Councillor and Public School Trustee at different times. He was one of the largest owner [sic] of property in Bowmanville.<br>Mrs. Horsey predeceased him in 1921 and of four sons, only one, William Wilson Horsey, Oshawa, and one daughter, Margaret, who has been his constant and faithful companion, survive.<br>The funeral which was private was held at his late residence, Temperance street, on Tuesday afternoon, service being conducted by Rev. J. U. Robins, pastor of Trinity United Church.<br>Pall-bearers were: Ex-Mayor J. B. Mitchell, W. B. Couch, John Percy, J. A. McClellan, F. J. Mitchell, H. W. Lapp. Interment took place at Bowmanville Cemetery. ('''''<i>Oshawa</i> ''Daily Reformer,'''''<i>7 January 1927</i>)
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''Recent Deaths: William M. Horsey<br>William M. Horsey, former Police Magistrate of Bowmanville and a pioneer resident died at his home there Saturday, January 1, in his 96th year.''
 
''<br>The late Mr. Horsey was born in Colyton, Devon, England in 1832, and came to Canada when 14 years of age. With his parents, he resided for some years at Kingston where he completed his education and later married Margaret Wilson of Ganonoque. In 1858 the family moved to Bowmanville and after several years in the hardware business, returned to Kingston. In 1874 he returned here and carried on business for some years, later becoming associated with the Dominion Organ and Piano Company.''
 
''<br>In April, 1902, on the death of George C. Haines, he was appointed Police Magistrate for the town of Bowmanville and after occupying the post for 23 years retired in 1925, being succeeded by Barrister W. F. Ward, B.A. He was Mayor of Bowmanville in 1886 and 1887 and served as Reeve and Councillor and Public School Trustee at different times. He was one of the largest owner [sic] of property in Bowmanville.''
 
''<br>Mrs. Horsey predeceased him in 1921 and of four sons, only one, William Wilson Horsey, Oshawa, and one daughter, Margaret, who has been his constant and faithful companion, survive.<br>The funeral which was private was held at his late residence, Temperance street, on Tuesday afternoon, service being conducted by Rev. J. U. Robins, pastor of Trinity United Church.<br>Pall-bearers were: Ex-Mayor J. B. Mitchell, W. B. Couch, John Percy, J. A. McClellan, F. J. Mitchell, H. W. Lapp. Interment took place at Bowmanville Cemetery. ('''''<i>Oshawa</i> ''Daily Reformer,'''''<i>7 January 1927</i>)
 
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<br> This splendid obituary is for a politician, hence rather longer than usual, but the detail it contains will be valuable for any family historian. It includes:  
This splendid obituary is for a politician, hence rather longer than usual, but the detail it contains will be valuable for any family historian. It includes:  


*birthdate and place  
*birthdate and place  
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This obituary and that of Mr. Kime were published in the same day’s newspaper, but on different pages. Horsey’s appeared on the local news page (‘Oshawa and District’) while Kime’s was on the ‘Women’s Daily Interests’ page, along with another obit, for Mrs. John Timlin of Centreton, some distance to the east. Obituaries often appear in unusual locations in the newspaper as they were used to help fill space. Mrs. Timlin’s notice had been sent to Oshawa by the Cobourg reporter for the paper and is short and uninformative. It is probably a truncated version of the original submission, added simply to fit a blank spot. Researchers might find a more detailed notice in a Cobourg newspaper. <br>  
This obituary and that of Mr. Kime were published in the same day’s newspaper, but on different pages. Horsey’s appeared on the local news page (‘Oshawa and District’) while Kime’s was on the ‘Women’s Daily Interests’ page, along with another obit, for Mrs. John Timlin of Centreton, some distance to the east. Obituaries often appear in unusual locations in the newspaper as they were used to help fill space. Mrs. Timlin’s notice had been sent to Oshawa by the Cobourg reporter for the paper and is short and uninformative. It is probably a truncated version of the original submission, added simply to fit a blank spot. Researchers might find a more detailed notice in a Cobourg newspaper. <br>  


{{tip|It is essential for researchers to look at all pages of the newspaper.}}
{{tip|It is essential for researchers to look at all pages of the newspaper. <br>


Never assume that the BMDs you are searching for will be found in a BMD column, or that the column will appear on the same page in every issue. While this may be the case most of the time, there are bound to be exceptions, and you don’t want to miss a vital record. <br>  
Never assume that the BMDs you are searching for will be found in a BMD column, or that the column will appear on the same page in every issue. While this may be the case most of the time, there are bound to be exceptions, and you don’t want to miss a vital record. }}<br>  


One of the earliest obituaries to appear in the pioneer '''''Edmonton Bulletin'''''comes on 26 November 1881, almost a year after the newspaper began. It was published on page one:  
One of the earliest obituaries to appear in the pioneer '''''Edmonton Bulletin'''''comes on 26 November 1881, almost a year after the newspaper began. It was published on page one:  
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