Goin’ to the Chapel and We’re Gonna Get Married

Church of England , Alfred Barker marriage, 27 January 1823, Coventry, Warwickshire bishop’s transcript for Holy Trinity Parish, FHL microfilm 0502210

Analyzing primary source documents is like the butter fudge frosting on Magelby’s Chocolate Tower Cake – the best part of genealogical research. Alfred and Ann’s marriage record reveals these elements:

Age:  From their grave markers we know that Alfred was born in 1795 and Ann was born in 1802, so Alfred was 28 years old and Ann was 21 when they were married.

Residence:  To get married in Holy Trinity Parish in Coventry, Warwickshire both had to be residents of that parish for three weeks.

Status:  This was Alfred’s first marriage (he is a bachelor) and Ann’s first marriage (she is a spinster).

Banns:  They were married by banns, meaning that for three Sundays before their wedding, their engagement was announced in their home parish, eliminating any impediments.

Literacy:  Because this is a bishop’s transcript, Alfred’s signature is in the transcriber’s         hand. Ann marked with an X, indicating she did not know how to write.

Witnesses:  Wm Gregor was probably a parish clerk, appearing as a witness at other January marriages in that parish. John Bright’s identity is unknown. Perhaps he was a friend.

John Davies: Standing before the high alter in the Coventry Holy Trinity Church, John Davies married Alfred and Ann amid family and friends.

What the bride was wearing: If only the bishop’s transcript had a line for that, then we’d really be somewhere.

Where Alfred and Ann were married Holy Trinity Church Check this out!