Source:Randolph, North Carolina, United States. Randolph County, North Carolina Marriage Bonds

The online book is a typed transcription of original "marriage bonds" found "in the archives of the North Carolina Historical Commission, Raleigh." The North Carolina State Archives repository appears to be where the physical archive now resides. From the provided link:

Marriage bonds are statements of intent to marry that were attested by the prospective groom before the clerk of court in the bride's county of residence. Typically, one or more bondsmen signed as security for the forfeiture of the penal sum (originally 50 pounds, increased to 500 pounds in 1778, and to $1,000 in the nineteenth century) should the marriage not occur or prove to be illegal.

Includes boxes of marriage bonds and certificates (1741-1868). Most marriage bonds give the names of the groom, bride, bondsmen and witnesses, the county in which filed and the date. If accompanied by a certificate of marriage, the information may also include the date of marriage, the name of the person performing the rites, and, towards the end of the period, the names of parents. The more than 170,000 marriage bonds in the Archives have been abstracted. Volumes of abstracts are available for each county from which the bonds have been received. There is also a statewide index, arranged by both grooms and brides, available on microfiche.

Usage Tips

May be ordered through the nearest Family History Center.

FHL film numbers

• 418149 Item 1