Sunday, September 16, 2012

One Wedding, Two Church Certificates - Church Record Sunday

Upon their marriage in the Mineral Ridge Methodist Church on September 15, 1938, my parents, Lee and Audrey (Meinzen) Doyle received two certificates of marriage from the church. Unusual, I think.

One is in a small booklet measuring about 4 1/2" x 7" with the word "Wedlock" embossed in gold on the cover. The certificate is folded inside and when unfolded is more than double the size of the opened booklet. Holes are punch through the fold and a white tasseled cord is tied in a bow. Also in the booklet, folded on the back cover is a brief document with the title, "How to Perpetuate the Honeymoon."

This is the certificate and a transcription.

This is to certify
that on the fifteenth day of September
in the year of our Lord
Nineteen hundred thirty eight
Lee Doyle
of Niles, Ohio
and
Audrey Meinzen
of Mineral Ridge, Ohio
were by me united in Marriage
at the Mineral Ridge Methodist Church
according to the ordinance of God and the laws
of the State of Ohio"
Rev. Robert S. Clemmons [signature]
Witnesses {Earl Tuxford [signature]
.................{Leona Tuxford [signature]



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The second certificate is in a booklet with "Our Wedding" in raised letters on the front. It is slightly larger than the one above, measuring 5 5/8" x 7". It, too, is tied with a cord but has no tassle. The pages of this booklet are printed in black, red, and green, with gold embossing on the pages.

This is the certificate and a transcription.

Certificate
of Marriage
Be it known that on the 15th day of September
in the Year of our Lord 1938
Lee Doyle
and
Audrey Meinzen
were by me
United in Marriage
in accordance with the Laws of
State of Ohio
at Mineral Ridge Methodist Church
Rev. Robert S. Clemmons [signature]
Witnesses .. Leona Tuxford [signature]
.................Earl Tuxford [signature]

.

6 comments:

  1. I have the same marriage booklet from my parent's wedding in 1946 in St. Joseph, Michigan. This one has the words "Our Marriage" in gold lettering embossed on the cover with a white cord and tassle. It is still in its embossed envelope as well. It also has the paper "How to Perpetuate the Honeymoon" in the back. I love the last suggestion which says "Gauge your expenses by your revenues. Love must eat. The sheriff often levies on Cupid long before he takes away the old furniture".

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    Replies
    1. Cheryl, I think that's amazing that your parents received the same booklet and that you have it. I'm sure the printer made thousands and most of them were used, but I think it's rare for them to be in existence and for the two of us to make the connection. I liked that suggestion, too, and noticed it's not the only one about finances. I think all the suggestions were good advice then and are still good advice. Thanks for coming to visit and leaving a comment. Have you posted your parents' booklet yet?

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  2. The Presbyterian Church had a similar booklet when my grandparents married in 1926. Since they eloped, their minister added the word "not" to the line, "were wed by me." I thought it was a hoot...

    Dee

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    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh, that's funny for two reasons, Dee. First, that he would give them a booklet even though he (probably) didn't have proof of their marriage since they eloped. And second, that he would write in "not." Have you posted it yet?

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  3. My grandparents both eloped so I have no such records of either set's marriage. What a treasure. I love Dee's comments about the record she has with the minister writing 'not' for wed by me. He wanted to make something very clear, didn't he.

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  4. I'm so sorry you don't have church records, Devon. Did you find government records, though?

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