Essex Marriage Index, prepared by Jack H. Baxter (16 Chandos Parade, Benfleet,
Essex SS7 2HT) This covers the ancient parishes of the county, including those now
in the Outer London areas, and one Quaker meeting. Mostly covers the period 1754-1851.
Uses original registers, with full data except witnesses and clergy, BTs (1800-1837,
with gaps) are indexed separately for registers not yet deposited. Male and female sections
arranged alphabetically, with cross references to variants. Over 85% of the county is
covered to some extent: a list of parishes is available for SAE and 2nd class stamp. To
have the index searched, send full name of at least one partner, with any known
spelling variants and an area of the county with which the family has known connections,
as well as a "not later than" year. Fees are £1 plus return postage (discount of
50p for members of Essex or East of London FHS). Sterling cheques, Postal orders, or
dollar bills are acceptable. A "wanted" slip is filed if a search fails.
Boyds Index (Society of Genealogists):
381 parishes, and one Quaker Meeting House,
are covered in the Main series. Approximately 94% of the county is covered to some
extent, mostly for the period 1538-1754. A copy of this index is at the Essex RO
in Chelmsford. Some parishes for 1801-1837 are in the Miscellaneous Series: most
of these are in the Essex Marriage Index above.
Pallot Index (IHGS).
23 Parishes. Both parties are listed. In most cases, only the year is given. Names
are entered phonetically. Widows usually shown. Fees are £7.50 for single
search, £12 for up to 20 abstractions for one surname, £25 for up to 50
abstractions.
Catholic Marriage Index (IHGS)
Covers 60 Parishes in Essex and London. £5 per search.
Marriage Licences
Records for most jurisdictions are held at the ERO Chelmsford.
There is a (nearly complete) manuscript index, alphabetical to the
initial letter of grooms' names only, not properly chronological; and
a computerised typescript alphabetical copy. A
separate index covers the Peculiars. A similar index in calendar form
is at Colchester Local Studies Library. The Society of
Genealogists has a number of Indexes to Marriage Licenses from Essex
Commissary of London for Essex and Herts. Allegations 1619-1699
Archdeaconry of Colchester Allegations 1585-1641
Archdeaconry of Essex Allegations 1579-1640, 1691-1697
The Guildhall Library holds records from the Diocese of London
and the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of St Pauls. Records from
St Mary Malden, which was in the Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter
of Westminster, are in the City of Westminster Archives Dept.
Some Marriage Licenses may have been issued by the Faculty Office:
a manuscript calendar to these is at Lambeth Palace, with some indexes
in Harlian Soc vol 24 and British Record Soc vol 33, and
microfilm copy at the Society of Genealogists. Similarly, Marriage
Licenses issued by the Vicar General (Province of Canterbury) are
indexed in Harlian Soc vols 23, 30, 31, 33 and 34. A manuscript index
is at Lambeth Palace, and a microfilm copy at the Society of
Genealogists.
