Marriage Licenses From The Archdeaconry Of Suffolk Deposited At Ipswich Probate Court 1613-1674

Marriage Licences from the Archdeaconry of Suffolk, 1613-1674

Discover Ancestors & Break Through 17th-Century Brick Walls in Pre-Civil Registration England

Step back in time and unlock the secrets of your Suffolk ancestors during one of England's most transformative periods. This exclusive collection of marriage licences, issued by the Archdeaconry of Suffolk and deposited at the Ipswich Probate Court, is an invaluable resource for any family historian with roots in the county.

Spanning from 1613 to 1674, these records pre-date civil registration and offer a level of detail often missing from standard parish registers. For couples who chose to obtain a licence—perhaps to marry quickly, in a different parish, or without the public reading of banns—these documents provide a unique and intimate glimpse into their lives on the eve of their union.

What You Can Discover:

A typical marriage licence entry can reveal a treasure trove of genealogical gold, including:

Full Names: The complete names of the bride and groom.
Ages & Marital Status: Whether they were a bachelor, spinster, widower, or widow, and sometimes their specific age or if they were "of full age" (over 21).

Occupations: The groom's trade or profession, providing crucial social and economic context.
Places of Residence: The specific parishes where both the bride and groom lived, essential for tracing family movements and locating other records.

Named Bondsmen & Sureties: The most powerful feature of these records. The licence was guaranteed by two bondsmen, who were often close relatives such as the fathers, brothers, or uncles of the couple. This can provide the
only direct link to the previous generation.

Intended Church of Marriage: The specific parish church where the marriage was licensed to take place.
Why These Records Are So Important:

The 17th century, encompassing the English Civil War, the Commonwealth, and the Restoration, was a time of great social and political upheaval. Records can be sparse. These marriage licences provide a reliable, primary source that can:

Break down "brick walls" when parish registers are missing, illegible, or uninformative.
Confirm family relationships through the bondsman information.
Distinguish between individuals with common names in the same locality.
Trace your ancestors' migration between parishes within Suffolk.
About This Collection:

This comprehensive index has been meticulously transcribed from the original documents held by the Ipswich Probate Court, covering the entire ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Archdeaconry of Suffolk. It represents a vital key to understanding the families and communities of 17th-century Suffolk.

Unlock the story of your ancestors' unions. Begin your search in the Marriage Licences of the Archdeaconry of Suffolk today.