View source for GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - North Dakota Marriages

{{GR logo}}
{{Dropdown|Page title=North Dakota Marriages - What else you can try}}
This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find marriage information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the marriage section of the  [[GuidedResearch:North Dakota|North Dakota Guided Research]] page.
__NOTOC__<br>
<br>
{{Dropdown|    <!-- Define dropdown-->
  Dropdown title=Additional Online Resources||
  Dropdown text style=font-size:20px !important; color:#0B0BEC !important; text-decoration:underline !important; display:inline-block; font-weight:bold;|
}}

=== Additional Databases and Online Resources ===
*'''1872-2017:''' [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61305 <u>'''North Dakota, Select County Marriage Records</u>'''] at Ancestry ($)
*'''1886-1940s:''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=north%20dakota%2cnd '''<u>United States Marriages, North Dakota</u>'''] at FindMyPast ($)

{{Dropdown end}}<br><br><br>
{{Dropdown|    <!-- Define dropdown-->
  Dropdown title=Substitute Records|
  Dropdown text style=font-size:20px !important; color:#0B0BEC !important; text-decoration:underline !important; display:inline-block; font-weight:bold;|
}}
=== Additional Records with Marriage Information ===
Substitute records may contain information about more than one event and are used when records for an event are not available. Records that are used to substitute for marriage events may not have been created at the time of the marriage. The accuracy of the record is contingent upon when the information was recorded. Search for information in multiple substitute records to confirm the accuracy of these records. 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
| colspan="3" | '''Use these additional records to locate marriage information about your ancestor:'''
|-
| width="10%" | <center>''Wiki Page''</center>
| width="15%" | <center>''FamilySearch(FS) Collections''</center> 
| width="75%" | ''Why to search the records''
|-
| width="10%" | <center>[[North Dakota Newspapers|Newspapers Announcements]]</center> 
| width="15%" | <center>See Wiki page</center>
| width="75%" | Wedding announcements and golden anniversaries often appear in newspapers.
|-
| width="10%" | <center>[[North Dakota Church Records|Church Records]]</center>
| width="15%" | <center>See Wiki page</center>
| width="75%" | Church marriage records may be available when civil marriage records cannot be found. A church marriage record may provide the bride’s maiden name in addition to the date and place of the marriage. To access church records, first determine the denomination.
|-
| width="10%" | <center>[[United States Obituaries|Obituaries]]</center> 
| width="15%" | <center><u>[https://www.familysearch.org/search/location/usa/north-dakota?recordType=2 North Dakota Obituary FS Collections]</u></center>
| width="75%" | Obituaries may include the name of the surviving spouse. More recent obituaries may also include the date and place of the marriage.
|-
| width="10%" | <center>[[North Dakota Military Records|Military Records]]</center> 
| width="15%" | <center><u>[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/GuidedResearch:North_Dakota?recordType=5 North Dakota Military FS Collections]</u></center>
| width="75%" | A widow's pension includes the name of the veteran and additional information to prove their marriage.
|-
| width="10%" | <center>[[North Dakota Vital Records|Death Records]]</center>
| width="15%" | <center><u>[[GuidedResearch:North Dakota|North Dakota Death Guided Research]]</u></center>
| width="75%" | GDeath records may include the name of the spouse and whether the deceased was married, widowed, or divorced. Click on the link to the left to return to the Death page.
|-
| width="10%" | <center>[[North Dakota Census|Census Records]]</center>
| width="15%" | <center><u>[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/GuidedResearch:North_Dakota?recordType=3 U.S. Census FS Collections]</u></center>
| width="75%" | After 1850, census records may list the first name of the spouse, however relationships are not included until 1880. Beginning in 1900, additional marriage information is included in the census records.
|-
| width="10%" | <center>[[North Dakota Bible Records|Bible Records]]</center> 
| width="15%" | <center>See Wiki page</center>
| width="75%" | Family Bibles may include dates and places of marriage for family members, however the accuracy of this information is contingent upon when the information was recorded.
|}
<br>

=== Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens ===

*[[Gretna_Greens_in_the_United_States#Known_Locations_for_the_United_States|Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens]]
<br>

{{Dropdown end}}
<br><br>
{{Dropdown|    <!-- Define dropdown-->
  Dropdown title=Improve Searching|
  Dropdown text style=font-size:20px !important; color:#0B0BEC !important; text-decoration:underline !important; display:inline-block; font-weight:bold;|
}}
=== Tips for finding marriages ===
Successfully finding marriage records in online databases depends on a few key points. Try the following search suggestions:
:*'''Spelling variations.''' Your ancestor's name may be misspelled. Search with spelling variations for the first and last name of your ancestor.
:*'''Search given name.''' Search by given name by leaving out the last name.
:*'''Search for bride.''' Search by the bride’s name rather than the groom’s name.
:*'''Add information.''' For common names, add more information to narrow the search such as approximate year of marriage or the county the marriage took place in.
:*'''Date range.''' Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
:*'''Search state.''' Search using the state name only instead of by county.

=== Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens ===

*[[Gretna_Greens_in_the_United_States#Known_Locations_for_the_United_States|Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens]]
<br>
{{Dropdown end}}
<br><br>
{{Dropdown|    <!-- Define dropdown-->
  Dropdown title=Why the Record may not Exist|
  Dropdown text style=font-size:20px !important; color:#0B0BEC !important; text-decoration:underline !important; display:inline-block; font-weight:bold;|
}}
=== Known Record Gaps ===
'''Records Start'''<br>
*Marriage records begin when the county was created.
*'''1925''' Statewide Registration.
<br>



'''Records Destroyed'''<br>
There is no known record loss in the counties of North Dakota.
<br><br>

=== Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens ===

*[[Gretna_Greens_in_the_United_States#Known_Locations_for_the_United_States|Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens]]
<br>

{{Dropdown end}}
<br><br><br>
{{GR Footer}}<br>
[[Category:Guided Research]][[Category:North Dakota, United States]][[Category:Guided Research United States]][[Category:Guided Research North Dakota, United States]]