The chief contractions used in these abstracts are " w." for " widow," or " widower," " p." for " of the parish of " and " lie." for " married Hence." In all cases where the marriage is stated to have taken place licence, that fact is recorded, as the searcher thereby knows that further information as to the age, parentage and vocation of the parties is probably recoverable from the Allegations in the Archdeaconry or other office from which the licence issued.
It should be remembered that previous to 1752 the year was calculated as beginning on the 25th of March, instead of the 1st of January, so that a marriage taking place on say 20th February, 1625, would be on that date in 1626, according to our reckoning ; but as the civil and ecclesiastical year were both used, this is sometimes expressed by 20th Feb., 1621.
After 1753 it is to be assumed that all parties not otherwise described are stated to be of the home parish, and bachelor and spinster respectively. It might be well to remind the reader that these printed abstracts of the Registers are not legal " evidence." For certificates application must be made to the local clergy.
