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TheGenealogist has released a major new addition to its early marriage collections, publishing more than 100,000 newly added entries from seven counties and national ecclesiastical sources. Covering the 16th to 19th centuries, the update helps researchers trace couples and family connections in periods and places where parish registers can be incomplete, damaged, or missing. Newly released record sets include: London & National - Marriage Licences at the Faculty Office (1543–1869) Durham Marriage Bonds (1664–1674) Lancaster Marriage Bonds (1734–1738) Leicestershire Marriage Licences (1570–1729) Somerset - Bishops of Bath and Wells Marriage Allegation Bonds (1670-1755) Surrey Marriage Licences (1673–1770) Sussex Marriage Licences, Deaneries of Chichester, Pagham and Terring (1582–1730) This release significantly broadens TheGenealogist’s coverage of pre-civil registration marriage material. For many researchers, these records fill essential gaps where parish registers are incomplete, illegible or original entries have not survived. Understanding Marriage Licences and Marriage Bonds Before civil registration, marriages in England were normally preceded by the calling of banns on three Sundays in the home parish of each party. However, couples who wished to marry more quickly, or outside their home parish, could apply for a marriage licence. This was a formal legal permission issued by an ecclesiastical authority such as a bishop, archdeacon, or the Archbishop of Canterbury’s offices at Lambeth and the Faculty Office. The process generated several types of documents: Marriage Licence: A certificate permitting the couple to marry without banns. It does not always survive in the archive, but the supporting paperwork often does. Marriage Allegation: A sworn statement made by one spouse (usually the groom) declaring there was no lawful impediment to the marriage. Allegations often record ages, occupations, marital status (bachelor, widow, etc.) and places of residence. Marriage Bond: A financial guarantee, usually provided by the groom and his bondsman, promising to pay a sum of money if it were later found that the marriage was unlawful. Bonds frequently include valuable genealogical details and help confirm identities where multiple individuals share the same name. A Rich Resource for Researchers Mark Bayley, head of online content at TheGenealogist, commented: “The hardest marriages to find are the ones that happened quickly, quietly, or away from home. Marriage Licences were often obtained for exactly those situations, and they can provide the missing evidence that links generations together.” These new records are available to Diamond subscribers and can be found within the “Parish Record Books” collection on TheGenealogist. Thomas Weelkes in the newly released Calendar of Sussex Marriage Licences on TheGenealogist Featured Article: Read the story of famed composer Thomas Weelkes, who used a marriage license for a speedy wedding and can be found in these new records: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2025/the-unruly-genius-of-an-english-renaissance-composer-8855/