The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast RLP 371: Comparing Marriage Records: Original Licence and Return vs Marriage Book Entry
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Aug 18, 2025 Dive into the fascinating world of marriage records and their critical role in genealogical research. Discover the differences between original licenses and marriage book entries, as well as their historical context regarding women's rights. Personal anecdotes and challenges faced by researchers bring these documents to life. The discussion also touches on the evolution from paper to digital records, emphasizing the importance of preserving family history while making it more accessible.
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County Mailed An Original License
- Diana Schultz's father wrote to Milam County in 1977 and the county clerk mailed back both a photocopy and the original marriage license for their ancestor.
- The original showed different ink colors and a raised bronze seal, which delighted the family researcher.
Two Hands Confirm Originality
- The marriage form shows two distinct hands and inks: the county clerk filled the top (license) and the minister filled the bottom (return).
- Different inks and handwriting on the same form are strong indicators you have an original record.
Always Locate The Source Volume
- Scroll back through digitized images to find the original marriage book volume and page before you cite or analyze a record.
- Confirm volume number and date range to understand whether the filmed book is a found volume at the courthouse.
