When looking through marriage records and birth records, one should pay attention to witnesses (from bride’s and groom’s side) and to godparents. Most of the time they are relatives, by blood or marriage.
For example, in birth records, sometimes it is possible to determine wife’s maiden name, as her unmarried sister is often a godmother. This can be determined by the same patronymic middle name. However, this should always be double checked with other records as unrelated matches are possible.
Nonetheless, one should approach with caution as godparents and witnesses could be siblings, siblings’ spouses, parents or even unrelated people who were held at high esteem by the parents or the married couple.
Смотрите также: “searching for marriage record” и “Черниговский архив: метрические книги евреев н. п. Черниговской губернии за 1894-1916 гг”.
Tags: бракосочетания, метрические книги, рождения, совет