Boyd's Marriage Index, begun by Percival
Boyd in the 1920s and covering the period 1538 to 1837, was compiled
from English parish registers, bishops' transcripts, and marriage
licenses in sixteen counties. Since only about one third of the
parishes are represented, however, this compilation it is incomplete,
having less than sixteen percent of all English marriages for that
period. The microfilm publication consists of three parts: Boyd's
Marriage Index (microfiche 94/2144), arranged by county with records
of brides and grooms; Boyd's Marriage Index, 1538-1837, Second Series
(microfiche 94/2143), and Boyd's Marriage Index, 1538-1837, 3rd
Series (microfiche 94/2147), both arranged by bride and groom. The
second and third series are sometimes referred to as the miscellaneous
series. These indexes are useful in determining the date and place
of a marriage as well as the particular parish in which it occurred.
They may also help in estimating the frequency of a surname in a
particular geographical area, or to identify the place of origin
of someone who married in England before emigrating to North America
or elsewhere.
The microfiche at the Library of Congress was reproduced from
a copy at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City which, in
turn, was made from the original Boyd's Marriage Index at the Society
of Genealogists in London. Several editions of A List of Parishes
in Boyd's Marriage Index have been published by the Society, so
it is well to consult the Library of Congress computer catalog to
determine the most recent one. These Lists also provide some detailed
and useful information about the Index. |
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