Hardwicke's Marriage Act

Hardwicke's Marriage Act made it easier for genealogists to trace marriages in England and Wales when it came into effect in 1754. After this date clandestine marriages (marriages that take place outside of a church) were illegal, a marriage license or banns were required, they had to be properly recorded and signed by both parties. Members of the Jewish and Quakers faiths were exempt from these provisions in the Marriage Act, as was the British Royal Family (this exemption still remains today). All other religions and noncomformists were not exempt but had a strong financial incentive to be married in the Anglican church. This mostly is because an Anglican marriage was necessary for children from the union to be recognized as legitimate. Many people got around this Marriage Act because if did not apply to Scotland. There were villages in Scotland that catered who wanted to elope such as Paxton Toll, Lamberton, and the especially famous Gretna Green.