By stat. Geo. 4. c.76 no parson, vicar, minister or curate was obliged to publish the banns of matrimony, between any persons whatsoever, unless the persons to be married shall, seven days at the least before the time required for the first publication of such banns, deliver to him a notice in writing, dated on the day of such delivery, of their true Christian names and surnames, and of the houses of their respective abodes within his parish or chapelry, and of the time during which they have dwelt, inhabited, or lodged in such house or houses.
Although a marriage by banns would be valid, even though neither of the parties was actually resident in the parish, the clergyman was expected to use due diligence, and ascertain that the parties had given the correct representation of their place of residence. He had only to go to the address they gave to make sure the statement was true, and he had at least a week to do this before the first publication of the banns.
Stan
