If you're having trouble finding a marriage record for an Indiana ancestor, you may want to expand your search to the bordering counties in eastern Illinois. Depending on the time period, a county in Illinois may have had more lax requirements when it came to getting a marriage license (such as no waiting period). It also offered more anonymity, which was helpful if the couple was underage and/or facing family disapproval.
One of the more popular destinations for Indiana couples was Vermilion County, Illinois. Its county seat, Danville, was just inside the state line and the road that today is US 36 offered a direct link to Indianapolis. Vermilion County marriages for 1826-1899 are included in the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763-1900. For marriages after 1899, you can request a search from the Vermilion County Clerk.
Turnabout, fair play, I guess, because there are a lot of Illinois people showing up married in the Knox county, Indiana, records.
ReplyDeleteI have family from both! Thank you
ReplyDelete