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'''Provincial Marriage Licenses'''. The earliest law requiring town clerks to keep marriage records was made in 1673, but few clerks complied. Marriages were performed either by a clergyman or, more commonly, by a justice of the peace. After 1719 a marriage license was required unless banns were published at least three weeks before the marriage. In the colonial period, it has been estimated that only about 25 percent of New Jersey marriages were by license. Usually the more affluent persons obtained licenses. Marriage by license gradually became more popular than banns by the mid-eighteenth century. However, by about 1790, marriage by license had again declined in popularity. Legislation in 1795 repealed the requirement for marriage licenses. | '''Provincial Marriage Licenses'''. The earliest law requiring town clerks to keep marriage records was made in 1673, but few clerks complied. Marriages were performed either by a clergyman or, more commonly, by a justice of the peace. After 1719 a marriage license was required unless banns were published at least three weeks before the marriage. In the colonial period, it has been estimated that only about 25 percent of New Jersey marriages were by license. Usually the more affluent persons obtained licenses. Marriage by license gradually became more popular than banns by the mid-eighteenth century. However, by about 1790, marriage by license had again declined in popularity. Legislation in 1795 repealed the requirement for marriage licenses. | ||
About 10,000 original marriage bonds and licenses, 1711 to 1795 <ref> | About 10,000 original marriage bonds and licenses, 1711 to 1795 <ref> Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=264302&disp=New+Jersey+marriages%2C+1711-1878+%28a++ films 888701-10] </ref> were filmed at the state archives. Most date between 1728 and 1790. They are arranged chronologically in volumes by the first letter of the groom's surname. Some documents were filmed out of focus, so you may need to check a previous filming. <ref> Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=263857&disp=Marriage+records+%28Monmouth+County%2C+N++ films 802936-43]. </ref> Some licenses issued between 1665 and 1711 and other marriage records to the 1760s can be found in the deed books and are indexed by the Index to Powers of Attorney. <ref> Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=98765&disp=Index+of+names+to+various+records+in+var++ films 946856-61] </ref> mentioned in the "[[New Jersey Land and Property|Land and Property]]" page. | ||
*The best index to licenses is ''New Jersey Marriage Bonds, W.P.A. 1670-1900''. This is a bride's and groom's card index at the state archives <ref> ''New Jersey Marriage Bonds, W.P.A. 1670-1900''(Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=80501&disp=New+Jersey+marriage+bonds%2C+W.+P.+A++ films 542533-37]). </ref> The index shows where the original bonds and licenses are found by listing the volume and page references. | *The best index to licenses is ''New Jersey Marriage Bonds, W.P.A. 1670-1900''. This is a bride's and groom's card index at the state archives <ref> ''New Jersey Marriage Bonds, W.P.A. 1670-1900''(Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=80501&disp=New+Jersey+marriage+bonds%2C+W.+P.+A++ films 542533-37]). </ref> The index shows where the original bonds and licenses are found by listing the volume and page references. | ||
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For a published index, refer to: | For a published index, refer to: | ||
*''Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Marriage Records, 1665-1800'' <ref> Nelson, William, Editor. ''Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Marriage Records, 1665-1800''. [Archives of the State of New Jersey, First Series, Volume 22] 1900, reprinted as New Jersey Marriage Records. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1967. | *''Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Marriage Records, 1665-1800.'' <ref> Nelson, William, Editor. ''Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Marriage Records, 1665-1800''. [Archives of the State of New Jersey, First Series, Volume 22] 1900, reprinted as New Jersey Marriage Records. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1967. Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=974.9+B49a book 974.9 B49a Ser 1, v. 22; film 874375 item 1].) </ref> This book indexes the bonds but does not list the names of bondsmen, prior marriage indication, parent's consent for a minor, nor the volume and page references. The last third of the book lists additional marriages from church records and Middlesex County marriage returns, 1795 to 1799. | ||
*Charles Carroll Gardner found numerous transcription errors, and his revised lists for the years 1727 to 1751 were published in The ''Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey,'' 14-23 (1939-1948). See the "[[New Jersey Periodicals|Periodicals]]" page. | *Charles Carroll Gardner found numerous transcription errors, and his revised lists for the years 1727 to 1751 were published in The ''Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey,'' 14-23 (1939-1948). See the "[[New Jersey Periodicals|Periodicals]]" page. | ||
Another card index to New Jersey marriage bonds for about 1730 to 1791 was filmed at the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania <ref> Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=80705&disp=New+Jersey+marriage+bonds+of+the+1700%27++ films 540682-83]. </ref> These typed cards give the names of the brides and grooms, their residences, and sometimes the occupation of the groom. Also listed are the names of the bondsmen and witnesses and their residences. | Another card index to New Jersey marriage bonds for about 1730 to 1791 was filmed at the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. <ref> Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=80705&disp=New+Jersey+marriage+bonds+of+the+1700%27++ films 540682-83]. </ref> These typed cards give the names of the brides and grooms, their residences, and sometimes the occupation of the groom. Also listed are the names of the bondsmen and witnesses and their residences. | ||
'''County Marriage Records'''. Marriage certificates were recorded by the county courts of common pleas beginning in 1795. County marriage records rarely provide the names of parents. The original county marriages are usually found at the offices of the county clerks. The state archives has microfilm copies from 1795 to about 1848. The Family History Library has microfilm copies from 1795 to about 1900 (Monmouth County to 1843) for all counties except for Hudson (created in 1840) and Camden (created in 1844). Some marriages for Bergen, Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties are indexed in the 1988 edition of the International Genealogical Index. | '''County Marriage Records'''. Marriage certificates were recorded by the county courts of common pleas beginning in 1795. County marriage records rarely provide the names of parents. The original county marriages are usually found at the offices of the county clerks. The state archives has microfilm copies from 1795 to about 1848. The Family History Library has microfilm copies from 1795 to about 1900 (Monmouth County to 1843) for all counties except for Hudson (created in 1840) and Camden (created in 1844). Some marriages for Bergen, Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties are indexed in the 1988 edition of the International Genealogical Index. | ||
The early county marriages for most counties, often with supplementary marriages from church records, have been transcribed and published and are available at the Family History Library. Justice of the peace records may or may not have been filed with the county and tend to be scattered. Some are in various collections at the state archives; some are available at the county courthouses; and some, such as those for Bergen, are at county historical archives. A large collection of Essex County dockets arranged by the name of the justice of the peace, 1782 to 1911, was filmed at the Essex County courthouse and is available at the state archives <ref> Family History Library (on 67 films beginning with Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=100619&disp=Justice+of+the+peace+dockets%2C+1782-1++ film 1302538 items 2-6]. </ref> The state archives has the original justice of the peace dockets for some counties. | The early county marriages for most counties, often with supplementary marriages from church records, have been transcribed and published and are available at the Family History Library. Justice of the peace records may or may not have been filed with the county and tend to be scattered. Some are in various collections at the state archives; some are available at the county courthouses; and some, such as those for Bergen, are at county historical archives. A large collection of Essex County dockets arranged by the name of the justice of the peace, 1782 to 1911, was filmed at the Essex County courthouse and is available at the state archives. <ref> Family History Library (on 67 films beginning with Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=100619&disp=Justice+of+the+peace+dockets%2C+1782-1++ film 1302538 items 2-6]. </ref> The state archives has the original justice of the peace dockets for some counties. | ||
'''State Records of Marriage'''. Statewide registration of marriages began in May 1848. Original marriage records, 1848 to 1878, and microfilm copies, 1848 to 1940, are at the state archives. The [https://wwwnet1.state.nj.us/DOS/Admin/ArchivesDBPortal/Marriage1867.aspx State of New Jersey] has placed online a database indexing the marriages records may 1848 through 31 May 1878. | '''State Records of Marriage'''. Statewide registration of marriages began in May 1848. Original marriage records, 1848 to 1878, and microfilm copies, 1848 to 1940, are at the state archives. The [https://wwwnet1.state.nj.us/DOS/Admin/ArchivesDBPortal/Marriage1867.aspx State of New Jersey] has placed online a database indexing the marriages records may 1848 through 31 May 1878. | ||
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=== Records === | === Records === | ||
'''1848-1900'''. Marriage returns, 1848 to 1867, | '''1848-1900'''. Marriage returns, 1848 to 1867, <ref> 25 Family History Library films beginning with [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=312728&disp=Records+of+births%2C+marriages%2C+and+de++ 493702] <ref/> have been indexed in the International Genealogical Index; returns, 1868 to 1878 <ref> (FHL films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=312728&disp=Records+of+births%2C+marriages%2C+and+de++ 494145-60] </ref>, and registers, 1878 to 1900 <ref> Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&titleno=312728&disp=Records+of+births%2C+marriages%2C+and+de++&first=101&last=200&columns=*,0,0 films 494248-49; 495696-721; and 589813-22] </ref> are arranged according to a July- to-June calendar year by county and then by the first letter of the groom's surname. | ||
[https://wwwnet1.state.nj.us/DOS/Admin/ArchivesDBPortal/Marriage1867.aspx State of New Jersey] has placed on line a database indexing the marriages returns May 1848 through 31 May 18671867. | [https://wwwnet1.state.nj.us/DOS/Admin/ArchivesDBPortal/Marriage1867.aspx State of New Jersey] has placed on line a database indexing the marriages returns May 1848 through 31 May 18671867. | ||
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== Divorce Records == | == Divorce Records == | ||
Matrimonial records, including divorce proceedings, were kept by the court of chancery through 1947. The records at the state archives and at the Family History Library date from 1743 to 1850. They are found in the chancery court case files and enrolled decrees described in the "[[New Jersey Court Records|Court Records]]" | Matrimonial records, including divorce proceedings, were kept by the court of chancery through 1947. The records at the state archives and at the Family History Library date from 1743 to 1850. They are found in the chancery court case files and enrolled decrees described in the "[[New Jersey Court Records|Court Records]]" page and are indexed. Records of legislative divorces before 1845 are listed in Beth Jones-Reichman's ''Divorces by Legislative Acts, 1778-1844'', ''The Genealogical Magazine of New'' ''Jersey'' 53 (January 1978): 1-10. Most existing copies of divorce petitions are at the state archives. | ||
Divorce records since 1850 are in the possession of the superior court—except those less than five years old, which are usually kept at the county clerks' offices. Most case files are not restricted. You can obtain copies if you provide the approximate year of marriage and the names of both the plaintiff and defendant. Write to: | Divorce records since 1850 are in the possession of the superior court—except those less than five years old, which are usually kept at the county clerks' offices. Most case files are not restricted. You can obtain copies if you provide the approximate year of marriage and the names of both the plaintiff and defendant. Write to: | ||
'''Clerk of the Superior Court'''<br>Records Information Center<br>P.O. Box 967<br>Trenton, NJ 08625-0967<br>Telephone: 609-292-4978<br>Fax: 609-777-0094<br>Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/newjers.htm | '''Clerk of the Superior Court'''<br>Records Information Center<br>P.O. Box 967<br>Trenton, NJ 08625-0967<br>Telephone: 609-292-4978<br>Fax: 609-777-0094<br>Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/newjers.htm | ||
= Death Records = | = Death Records = | ||