Using the FreeBMD website to search for marriage records

Open your Internet browser and go to the Shropshire Heirloom website.This is the address you need to type into the address bar shropshireheirloom.wordpress.com

When the home page opens, click on the Clee Hill link.

On the right hand side of the page you will find the Blogroll, a list of the Internet sites you may need to use during the Project.

Find the link FreeBMD 1837 – 1983 and click on it.

Scroll down the page until you can see the red Search button and click on it

In the TYPE box, select Marriages.

Type the Surname and first name of the ancestor whose records you are looking for.In the example shown I have used Surname- Doe First name -John.

For date range, if you do not know the exact year use a range, in my example I have used 1945- 1950.

Click on Find.

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In my example this returned 14 possible records.

Remember, these records show the quarter in which the marriage was registered and NOTthe actual month of the marriage.

For marriages that took place after 1911, the name of the spouse is shown in column 3.

If you know both partners in the marriage, this record will provide you with proof.

If you do not know the spouse's surname, the record may give you the next clue in your search.

The Volume and page number normally relate to 4 people, clicking on the page number, will show you all 4 records.

In my example, I clicked on the first record.This would appear to suggest that John Doe married Kathleen Hicks. This is not always the case. Prior to 1911, the spouses' name was not included and different register offices appear to record the names in different orders.

I have included some examples below. In example 1, did Martha marry John OR Thomas?

In example 2, there are 3 men but only 2 women. If this happens to you, sending for the marriage certificate may be the only way to solve the mystery.

The information you have found needs to be added to you pack. If you are not sure you have the correct information remember to add a question mark.

This information can be saved using a screenshot [see separate help sheet].If you are familiar with using copy and paste, it is possible to highlight the record and paste it onto your notes page.

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