Following a Marriage Record Through Changing Systems
As I work my way back through my paper files, I’m also noticing how much the language of genealogical research has changed—especially when it comes to referencing digitized microfilm. I still remember my first visit to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Standing on the U.S. floor, surrounded by rows and rows of microfilm cabinets, I was completely overwhelmed. It didn’t take long to learn that knowing the film number was the key to locating—and using—those records.
So when I come across a photocopy of the marriage record for Laura P. Wells, with a film number carefully written on the back, I immediately know I have a path forward. That number allows me to locate the digitized images and find the original record online. Today, thanks to FamilySearch and its full-text searching capabilities, I can also locate what appears to be the same marriage record simply by searching names and dates.
What’s interesting, however, is that the modern citation no longer includes the familiar microfilm number. Instead, the record is identified by an image group number. Wanting to be certain that the record I found through full-text search matched my paper copy, I searched the catalog by film/fiche/image group number. That led me to film number 1009295, image group 4653762, within Marriages, volumes 1–5, 1836–1884—confirming that both records point to the same original source.
Thanks to these changes, this marriage record—once tucked away in a filing cabinet—is no longer limited to my paper files. It’s now easily accessible to other WELLS researchers who may be following the same family lines.
Below is the marriage information for Laura P. Wells of Clarendon, Michigan, and Alexander Curd, who were married on 8 January 1866.
State of Michigan
Calhoun County ⎬
Alexander Card ⎬
and
Laura P. Wells
I certify that on the 8 day of Jan A.D.
1866 , at Green Wells , in the County aforesaid
I, John Ashley joined in Marriage
Alexander Curd of Curdsville in the State of Kentucky
aged 21 years , and Laura P. Wells of Clarendon in the State
of Michigan aged 20 years ; that the parties did then and there
selemnly declare that they took each other as Husband and
Wife , and that there were present as witnesses Mr Willie Wells of
Homer and Mr Erie G. Wells of Clarendon
Dated at Clarendon this 8 day of Jan. A.D. one
thousand eight hundred and sixty six ,
Recorded March 12th 1866
William Howard Clerk
John Ashley Minister