Replaced the index to marriage bonds in the years 1770-1774 with full details, so those 2,084 records are now instantly available.

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. Here are some samples:

• 22 Feb 1774 James Iceston (yeoman), age 20, of New Elvet, St.Oswald, Durham City, son of Thomas Iceston (yeoman of Cornforth, consents to the marriage), obtained a licence to marry Ann Thomas, age 25, of Stockton-upon-Tees, directed to Stockton-upon-Tees
  Surety: Bartholemew Franckland, innkeeper, of New Elvet, also witnessed the consent
• 21 Apr 1770 Thomas Hodgson (miner, widower), of Black Clough, Stanhope obtained a licence to marry Mary Emmerson, age minor, of Stanhope, daughter of John & Mary Emmerson, directed to Stanhope with consent of both parents
  Surety: Matthew Emmerson, miner, of Black Clough, also witnessed the consents
  [Note: married 28 Apr at Stanhope.]
• 17 Aug 1771 William Bainbridge (gentleman, widower), age 70, of Lanchester obtained a licence to marry Sarah Downy, age 26, of Lanchester
  Surety: Thomas Rippon, gentleman, of Lanchester
  [Note: married 1771 at Lanchester - date not given.]

Note that “age 21” generally means “21 and upwards” in these documents.

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.