Bedwellty Registration District and Nonconformists

[Dallashandra]

Hi, I'm a bit confused ... doesn't help that all the counties/districts of Wales have changed so many times!

I have a marriage certificate from 1934 on which it states that the marriage was held at 'The Register Office' in the district of Bedwellty. In our family bible, it says that the marriage took place at Tredegar Register Office. Are these one and the same?

I also have a cert. from 1911, which also just says 'The Register Office' in Bedwellty district.

Also, am I right in assuming that the marriage was in a register office because my ancestors were nonconformists? I understand that a high proportion of the population was Baptist in this area. Is it likely that there would have been a separate religious wedding? And would there be records kept? The family is in Rhymney so if anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful.

Thanks for any help!

D xx

[woodturner]

Check Genuki for Monmouthshire it will explain the civil registration area covered by Bedwelty. Tredegar is the only place you could and can be married apart from church or chapel in the area. Bedwelty has been a district since 1861.If the certificate says they were married at the Reg. Office then that's where it was. Being non-conformist I don't think this was the reason that the had a registry marriage.When I married in the early 70's my Baptist minister was licensed to sign the certificate but I think that in some places of worship the Registrar would have to be present to sign the certificate.
Hope that helps.

[behindthefrogs]

A lot of smaller non-conformist churches were not licensed for marriages.  The result was that either the registrar was paid to attend the wedding or a double wedding took place.   That is the legal wedding took place in the registry office and then  a separate church wedding was held.

David