Pembrokeshire Marriages and Banns

Each record includes an individual transcript and, where available, an image of the original record. The amount of information recorded changed over time; the detail in each transcript and image can vary but most will include the following:

Banns transcript

• Name
• Banns date (first date of announcements)
• Marriage date
• Spouse’s name
• Bride and groom’s parish

Banns image

Viewing the original image will always add extra value to your family history. The images may include:

• All banns dates
• Additional notes including marital status (widow, bachelor, spinster, etc.)

Marriage transcript

• Name and birth year
• Groom’s name and age
• Bride’s name and age
• Marriage date
• Parish
• County and country
• Bride’s father’s name
• Bride’s parish
• Groom’s father’s name
• Groom’s parish

Marriage transcript

Viewing the images of the record books will add depth to your family history exploration. The images can give even more information such as

• Condition (whether widowed, bachelor or spinster)
• Rank or profession of bride and groom
• Rank or profession of father of bride and groom
• In the presence of (witnesses)

Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire, Sir Benfro in Welsh, is located in south Wales. It is bordered by the sea on three sides: St. Bride’s Bay and Cardigan Bay of St. George’s Channel on the west and northwest and Bristol Channel on the south. Pembrokeshire is mostly rural but has a strong industrial sector centred on Milford Haven. The deep-sea port of Milford Haven is one of Europe’s leading oil ports.

The southern part of Pembrokeshire is known as ‘Little England beyond Wales’. After the Norman Conquest in the 12th century, the region held strong ties to England, and with an influx of Flemish settlers, English became the dominant language. Today, the Landsker line is still present as a cultural and linguistic boundary between north and south Pembrokeshire.

Banns

Before 1754, banns were listed in one volume with baptisms, marriages, and burials, but after 1754, they were recorded in a separate designated book. Over the years, the books became more standardised and later banns are recorded in pre-printed books.

The tradition of banns can be traced as far back as 1215. It was introduced as a way to prevent secret marriages. Banns were announcements made in the church on three separate Sundays during the three months leading up to the wedding day. The announcements were made to give the congregation an opportunity to voice any objection to the marriage. Finding a banns record is not confirmation that a couple were married. If banns were announced, it meant that a couple intended to marry, but for a variety of reasons the marriage may not have proceeded.

Marriages

The Pembrokeshire records span across three centuries and provide valuable information for your family’s history. Especially if your family lived in the same area for generations, you could possibly find more than one relative’s marriage record.

Through the marriage records, you will gain great insight into your relative’s life. You can discover what your ancestors did for a living, how old they were when they married, and who they wanted to be present when they married. The records can give you up to four additional names to add to your ever-growing family tree. Use the add to tree feature to help you keep track of your ancestors and each record you have found for them.

• Begin your search broadly with just a name.

• If needed, you can narrow your results by adding additional search criteria such as a year, event type, spouse’s name, or place.

• If provided, consult the image linked to your ancestor’s transcript. You may learn additional details about your ancestor’s banns or marriage.