  Ask a Genealogist  RSS Feed  Ask a Genealogist: Marriage
intentions in Maine.   Permanent link   In the vital records of
Sanford, Maine, the town clerk records a marriage intention
dated May 28, 1828 with a notation "Certificate dated 8th June
1828". What is the "certificate" and what is the significance of
the date?   By David Allen Lambert, NEHGS Chief Genealogist  The
"certificate" would be the marriage certificate (or proof of
marriage) signed by the clergyman, or justice of the peace, at
the time of the wedding. This certificate would generally be
returned to the town or city clerk who recorded their intention
of marriage. You occasionally see the marriage date indicated on
the intention. The town that issued the marriage intention is
probably not the same town where the marriage occurred.   New
England Historic Genealogical Society 99 - 101 Newbury Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116, USA  © 2013 New England Historic
Genealogical Society