| Cecil County -- Marriage Records |
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The Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains marriage records for Cecil County, MD., starting with records in 1777.
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Maryland Marriage Records -- Historical Background
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The General Assembly passed an act requiring the clerk of the county court (Chapter 12 of the Acts of February 1777) to keep marriage records. The information given included the date the license was issued, the names of the male and female and often the name of the minister to whom the license was directed. No indication is given as to whether the marriage was ever performed.
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In 1865, the legislature passed an act providing for registration of births, marriages and deaths (Chapter 130, Acts of 1865). It was made the duty of the clerk of the circuit court to record the information in specially prepared books that were furnished by the Secretary of the Senate. The marriage record was to give date and place of marriage, name; residence and official station of the minister; marital status and name, age, race, residence and occupation of each party, and date of the record.
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Because of problems in some jurisdictions, the legislature revisited the recordkeeping issue again in 1886. That year (Chapter 297 of the Acts of 1886), it provided a new law for the systematic registration of marriages. The information required was essentially the same as the act of 1865.
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Requesting a Cecil County Record from the Clerk of the Court
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To have the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cecil County search the records and provide a copy of a marriage license, the following guidelines are offered:
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Provide the Clerk's office with the full names of both parties (including the wife's maiden name) and the approximate date of the marriage. All this information must be provided, if you want the clerk to undertake a search.
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The cost for the search and the copy is $5.00
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Make the check payable to William L. Brueckman, Clerk.
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Mail your query to: William L. Brueckman, Clerk of the Circuit Court, 129 E. Main Street, Room 108, Elkton, MD. 21921-5971
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If you have additional questions, you may telephone the marriage bureau of the Clerk's Office at 410.996.5376
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