Replaced the index to marriage bonds in the years 1755-1759 with full details, so those 1,481 records are now instantly available, including 1 new bond that we missed the first time around.

Marriage bonds often provide ages, occupations, and place of residence for the bride and groom (and sometimes a parent of a minor) during a period when marriage registers did not provide that information. Please read the Marriage Bonds section of the Transcription Samples page for a description of what information is found in bonds, allegations, and associated documents, and how we present that information. For example:

• 6 Aug 1756 John Carryer (shipwright, widower), age 60, of All Saints, Newcastle-upon-Tyne obtained a licence to marry Dorothy Corney (widow), age 50, of All Saints, directed to All Saints
  Surety: Peter Wilson, bricklayer, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
  [Note: married 7 Aug at All Saints]
• 11 May 1758 Ralph Brockett (surgeon, widower), age 50, of St.Nicholas, Durham City obtained a licence to marry Agnes Simpson, age 30, of St.Nicholas, directed to St.Nicholas
  Surety: Braems Wheler, gentleman, of Durham City
  [Note: married 13 May at St.Nicholas]
• 30 Mar 1757 George Cowling (yeoman), age 18, of Aycliffe, son of Simon Cowling (consents to the marriage), obtained a licence to marry Mary Elcoat (widow), age 30, of Aycliffe, directed to Aycliffe
  Surety: Simon Cowling, yeoman, of Aycliffe

Marriage bonds cover the entire Diocese of Durham i.e. Durham, Northumberland, North Yorkshire. There are a few licences in our collection that were issued by the Diocese of York. Because bonds cover the whole diocese, there is no way to limit your search of bonds to a single district. If you select a district from the District menu, your selection will be ignored when the marriage bonds database is searched.