Same Couple ?

[Geoff Gunn]

Hi everyone,
I'm in the process of trying to track my great great grandfather Alexander Gunn and have come across an interesting situation.

In the parish records for Bower 14/02/1840 we have an entry "Alex.Gunn Halero & Margaret Henderson Harpsdale Halkirk were matrimonally contracted 16th Jan.1840.........& married 14th Feb.1840"

In the parish records for Halkirk 14/02/1840 we have an entry "Alex.Gunn at Halero Bower and Margaret Henderson Harpsdale were married 14th Feb.1840."

From a map these 2 parish's seem side by side so my question is do these entries refer to the same couple or is it pure coincidence. Should they be the same, at which parish did the marriage take place?

I await your comments with interest.
Many thanks.
Geoff.

[joette]

Hi Geoff & Welcome to TalkingScot.
As you may or may not know "Banns" had to be called for three(I think) weeks before a couple could be married.If they lived in different Parishes as in this case then the "Banns would be cried" in both Parishes! This gave the chance for anybody to object or to inform of an impediment to the marriage.
Quite often that's the only record -the marriage is not always recorded so you are lucky that it has been duly noted in both the Groom's & the Bride's Parishes.
I am very fortunate in having the Banns from the marriage of my GGGGreat-Grandparents in 1824 duly signed by the Session Clerk who I am still trying to connect to my other side of the family!

[Geoff Gunn]

Thanks joette. I thought the calling of Banns was a possibility, assuming they were the same couple. That leaves me with the question of where did the marriage take place? Would it be a safe assumption that it was Halkirk, the parish of the bride?

Regards,
Geoff.

[StewL]

Hi Geoff
Yes it would be safe to assume they were married in Halkirk, given that the Halkirk record gives the marriage date

[Geoff Gunn]

Hello Stewie,

Thanks for your reply and yes I would agree with you but it's always good to have a second oppinion.

Regards,
Geoff.