Genealogy Chat

Am i correct in the assumption that not just anyone can get married in a Cathederal? I was always led to believe that you had to a person of standing within the community.

I have a family member who was married in a cathedral in 1896 whom as far as i can trace was 'average Joe' (as were both sets of parents and wife to be).

Opinions would be most welcome. Christine

Not sure. I think depending on where a person lives, the cathedral might well be considered to be their "local" parish church, so it's possible that someone might have been able to marry there on those grounds. (If it happened to be the bride's home parish, perhaps?)

Thanks Kate, i'll check into their local churches to see if its the only one around.

much appreciated.

I have ancestors who married in Manchester Cathedral in the 1840,s they were ordinary working people.
I was told by somebody at the Manchester Central Library that many of these marriages were multilpe with many couples attending , and I have even heard of a stand in being sent if the bridegroom could not get the time off work.
Hope this helps.
Christine G

anyone can get married in a cathedral - been to two weddings of work colleagues in our local cathedral - both run of the mill people

Thanks all for your replies.

There will be certain guidelines to follow as in parish church weddings. It is advisable to ring and ask for advice.

thanks for everyones answers.

Christine x

They didn't always get married in the Cathedral, but the Cathedral was the main church, so it was recorded there. Example Sheffield Cathedral has lots of BMDs registered there but the people were actually BMDd at "branches" around the city. Talking 1800s now. Sheffield Archives told me this.

Only parish registers will tell you the truth.

Margaret

Further thought, I was told that Manchester Cathedral was actually a registration district, and did not definitely relate to the Cathedral being the place of the ceremony.

Margaret

I have a cert: 1859 Marriage solemnized at the Cath Parish Church in the Parish of Manchester in the County of Lancaster.

Also from the Parish Register which I think was from the Cathedral: Marriages solemnized in the Parish Church of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, in the Year 1836.

I will be disappointed if it was not the Cathedral, since I went there in 1997 and was awed at the thought that 'this is where my gt grandparents married, and gt grandfathers mother married'.

Huia.

I found a very interesting article on the follow site that relates to it:

http://www.aidan.co.uk/article_manchester_cathedral.htm

A friend of mine married at Westminster Abbey - her father was in the choir.

My own uncle married in a cathedral where he had served as a choir boy.

To be married in Liverpool cathedral I think there has to be a connection of some sort as it is not licensed for marriages in the same way as a parish church is. Special licenses have to be applied for.

I read the article mentioned by Squirrel and that seems to explain why they married in Manchester cathedral when they lived in Salford, not that I had looked to see what other churches were around.
Huia.

A massive thankyou to all who replied, i've taken in you thoughts and will delve a little further.

Christine x

Just a little note i forgot......marriage was at St Chads Cathederal, Birmingham.

One of my ancestors was married at Lichfield Cathedral, and we are not exactly anybody special.