A marriage record from Ascoli, Puglia, ItalyThis example shows the record of a marriage which took place in the city of Ascoli Satriano in southern Italy early in the 18th century. The text is in Italian with a number of common abbreviations. The date heads the page. The text begins with the statement that only two sets of banns (dinunzie) have been called on two feast days in the Cathedral and then lists those days (two Sundays). The couple have a dispensation from the Provicario Generale (the Bishop's deputy) to excuse them from the third and final set of banns. Banns are public announcements of a marriage some days or weeks before it is due to take place. No legitimate impediments have been discovered. These are conditions which would prevent the couple from making a legal marriage. The place of marriage is shown (the cathedral) and the rank of the priest (archpriest). The couple are both from Ascoli. The entry gives the names of the man and woman getting married, their places of origin and the names of their fathers and mothers. At the end names, place of origin and father's name are given for two (male) witnesses. The consent of the couple is noted as is their licence from the Bishop's court. The entry was written according to a formula which had been specified by higher administration. Examples of such formulae have survived and indicate how priests made these documents. An illustration, which describes how to record state of souls registers, is taken from the late 17th century formulary book for the Archdiocese of Benevento, southern Italy.
13th February 1748 Having made the two sole sets of banns on two feast days before the solemnity of the Mass in the Cathedral church of Ascoli in Puglia, that is the first on the 4th, a Sunday, and the second on the 11th, also a Sunday, having a dispensation from the third from the Rev. Sig. Provicario Generale and as no legal impediments have been found, I Francesco Antonio Buccini, Archpriest of the said Cathedral have to this effect asked Pasquale Venafri of Ascoli, son of Francesco [Venafri] and Vittoria Buccini, and Maria Paoli of Ascoli, daughter of the late Pietro [Paoli] and Antonia Lione, and had their mutual consent, and also the licence of the Bishop's Court, which I have by me, I have joined them solemnly in Marriage with words by this present act, following the guidance or form of the Holy Council of Trent, present as Witnesses well known to me Potito Apruzzesi of Ascoli, son of the late Matteo and Francesco Paoli of Trani, son of the late Gian Battista, and afterwards they were blessed by me in the celebration of the Mass, following the Rite of S.M. church.
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