Publishing of Banns

[runepriest]

Hello all:

Can someone explain the process of banns for marriages?

"22nd December 1854. George Lawson, Farm Servant at Cookston, and Elizabeth Smart Daughter of James Smart at Leightonhill, both in this Parish, were contracted in order to marriage and their banns having been regularily published, and no objections offered, were married on the 30th, said December"

How and where would the banns be published? Would records of these publishings still exist?

Thank you in advance.


Brian

[LesleyB]

Hi Bryan

How and where would the banns be published? Would records of these publishings still exist?

As far as I'm aware in most cases "publishing" the banns would mean reading the couples names out from the pulpit, stating their intention to marry in both the bride and groom's parishes, so that anyone knowing any reason why they should not marry might state the reason. In some OPRs this reading of the banns was recorded, in others not. The banns would be read three times (sometimes twice on the one day...)

Not so many years ago ( 10 or 15 years ago maybe) it was still common practice in my local area to post a list of intended marriages outside the local registrars office here for a couple of weeks prior to the intended date, giving names and addresses of the intended couple. I believe these lists are still made up, but these days you have to ask to see them, they are not posted publicly.

Best wishes
Lesley

[Russell]

Hi Brian

Just to add to Lesley's explanation. The practice of 'publishing' the Banns was important in small communities where marriage between closely linked families often took place. If there was any reason, whether familial or because of prior marriage unanulled your friends and family or neighbours would know about it.
Banns were not always called from the pulpit. They could also be called at mid-week services and prayer meetings held at the Manse so the 3X calling could actually be achieved over the course of a week especially if they wanted to avoid delivery of a baby on the day of the wedding. They were not trying to avoid illegitimacy. Scots Law corrected that as soon as the intended marriage took place.

Religion in Scotland is tied closely to Scots Law and even the unborn child seems to have had some rights.

Russell