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For family historians researching ancestors in Indiana, marriage records from 1851 to 1900 are an essential part of the puzzle. During this time, the state saw rapid growth, widespread migration, and the formation of new communities—events that often coincided with marriages. Fortunately, many of these marriages were officially recorded, even in counties that had limited or inconsistent documentation practices.
This index covers about 292,000 individuals who were married in Indiana between 1851 and 1900. What makes it especially valuable is that it includes information from thirty-six counties that previously had incomplete or uncollected marriage data. For researchers facing brick walls in Indiana genealogy, this collection might provide the breakthrough needed.
By the mid-1800s, Indiana had developed a fairly robust county-based system for recording marriages. Each county clerk’s office was responsible for issuing marriage licenses and keeping records of marriage returns. These documents often listed the couple’s names, ages, birthplaces, residence, and the date of the marriage. Some also included names of parents or guardians—particularly if one or both individuals were underage—as well as the officiant’s name and sometimes witnesses.
The strength of this index lies in its inclusion of counties that had been overlooked in previous compilations. If you’ve already searched standard statewide marriage collections and come up empty, this index may fill in those gaps, especially for lesser-documented counties where local records were never abstracted or digitized.
To get the most out of this resource:
- Start by confirming the county where the couple likely lived around the time of their marriage.
- Use the marriage date to anchor other searches, like census records before and after the event.
- If parents are named, use that detail to track family units through earlier census schedules or probate records.
Keep in mind that couples sometimes crossed county lines to get married—especially if there were age restrictions or family objections. In these cases, the marriage might be recorded in a neighboring county, even if both parties lived elsewhere.
Church records can also be valuable companions to civil marriage records. Many Indiana counties had strong Quaker, Methodist, Baptist, and Catholic communities, and some churches maintained their own marriage books alongside official county records. In cases where a marriage was not recorded by the state, church documents may be the only surviving record.
Don’t overlook local newspapers, which often published marriage announcements in the 1800s. These notices may contain details not found in civil records, such as descriptions of the ceremony, the location, names of attendees, or biographical details about the couple.
If you find a record in this index, try to obtain the original source from the county clerk’s office, the Indiana State Archives, or an online repository. The original record may contain added information that wasn’t included in the index—small details that can make a big difference in your research.
This era in Indiana’s history—spanning pioneer settlements, the Civil War, industrial expansion, and early waves of European immigration—was one of great change. Tracing marriages during this period helps us understand how families were formed, where they lived, and how they moved across the state.
Whether you’re confirming a long-standing family story or uncovering new names for your tree, the marriage records from 1851 to 1900 are a key part of Indiana’s genealogical landscape—and an important tool for building connections across generations.