Hi Bill, Marriage Banns were (and still are) commonly used in Church of England and other denominations to announce a forthcoming marriage. These were/are usually announced from the pulpit on three successive Sundays prior to the marriage. It gives any dissenters a chance to speak up if they know of any impediment to the marriage. This is common in Britain and Australia and in previous centuries, a separate "Banns Register" was kept and sometimes marriage registers had space to enter the dates on which the banns were called. Because banns were called, it did not always follow that the marriage occurred. If you look at the IGI for Scotland you will find lots of apparently duplicated marriages which are actually the equivalent of banns being called in the respective parishes of the bride and groom. For example, my own marriage banns were called in three different churches (in Australia) - in my husband's parish, my own parish and in the church where the ceremony was actually performed. Cheers, Wendy Baker 103 Rattray Road Montmorency 3094 Victoria Australia Accredited Genealogist ICAPGen. [EMAIL PROTECTED] ORGAN DONORS SAVE LIVES
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