Runaway Brides: Finding Historical "Gretna Greens" in the U.S.

2 January 2023, by Sherri Mastrangelo

When looking for marriage records, you’ll assume the marriage took place in your ancestor’s place of residence, or the hometown of the bride. But what happens when you’ve exhausted your search and still can’t find any records? Where did your ancestors go to get married, and why? How do you know where to look?

The answer might have something to do with “Gretna Greens”, the term for a well-known place for out-of-town wedding destinations.

The phrase came into use after the Scottish village Gretna Green became a popular wedding sanctuary for England’s youth in the 18th century. “Located on the old coaching route between London and Edinburgh, Gretna Green was the first village reached once you entered Scotland. After Lord Hardwick's marriage act in 1754 outlawed marriage in England without paternal consent before the age of 21, young couples started to elope 'over the border' to Gretna Green, where they could be married at 16 years of age.” (- The Gretna Wedding Bureau).

Furthermore the GWB shares “many an infamous 'chase' has taken place along that old coaching route to Gretna Green, and there are many legendary tales of furious fathers in pursuit throughout the night, always reaching Gretna Green just a little too late. The residents of the small village of Gretna Green were well know for helping run-away couples and many an inn and watering station along the route could be counted on to, 'accidentally' delay any pursuers, allowing the couples to safely reach Gretna Green.” (- The Gretna Wedding Bureau)

In the 18th through 20th centuries, certain locations in the United States became known as “Gretna Greens”, if not in name then in spirit, as these popular wedding destinations usually offered less marriage restrictions to those hoping to tie the knot. Not all who traveled to these places where under age (though it was often the case). Perhaps they were looking to avoid parental consent requirements, for less of a waiting period, for lower fees for a license, or to avoid health test requirements and medical examinations. Perhaps they came from a dry town and wanted to serve alcohol at the reception. Or perhaps they just wanted a popular and romantic wedding destination.

Whatever the case may be for their travels, discovering where the popular “marriage mills” were near your ancestors’ homes might help you narrow down your search. When determining your research plan, consider the ages of your bride and groom and the marriage laws within the state, as well as nearby states. Did they need a quick marriage for any reason? Was there a birth shortly after the wedding, or at a young age? Also look if they had family in neighboring states, or reasons to travel.

Once you have some idea where to look, check the free (with registration) records at FamilySearch.org, searching the catalog by county for marriage records during your time frame.

Gretna Greens across the US may lie just over the state border, or just over the Canadian or Mexican border. They might be military posts, or towns along the rivers, or along the railroad stops. They may have been near popular honeymoon locations, like Niagara Falls.

In the below list of known marriage mill locations within the US, keep in mind each may have been popular at different times, depending on state laws. Also be aware of county borders and changes over time.

Arizona:

  • Yuma (Yuma County)

  • Salome (La Paz)


Arkansas

  • Texarkana (Miller County)

  • Marion (Crittenden County)


Connecticut

  • Groton (New London)

  • Thompson (Windham)


Delaware

  • Wilmington (Delaware County)


Georgia

  • Rome (Floyd)

  • Rossville (Walker County)


Idaho

  • Bear Lake County

  • Coeur d’Alene (Kootenai County)

  • Payette (Payette)

  • Weiser (Washington)


Illinois

  • Chicago (Cook County)


Indiana

  • Angola (Steuben County)

  • Crown Point (Lake County)

  • Evansville (Vanderburgh County)

  • Floyd County

  • Jeffersonville (Clark County)

  • Lawrenceburg (Dearborn County)

  • Valparaiso (Porter County)


Iowa

  • Keokuk (Lee County)

  • Nashua (Chickasaw County)


Kansas

  • Bellevue (Johnson County)


Kentucky

  • Ashtabula County

  • Greenup County

  • Maysville (Mason)

  • Pike County


Louisiana

  • Gretna (Jefferson Parish)


Maryland

  • Elkton (Cecil County)

  • Chestertown (Kent County)

  • Garrett County

  • Hartford County

  • Howard County

  • Rockville (Montgomery County)

  • Westminister (Carroll County)


Massachusetts

  • Lowell (Middlesex)


Michigan

  • Port Huron (St. Clair County)

  • St. Joseph (Berrien County)


Minnesota

  • Moorhead (Clay County)

  • Waukegan (Lake County)

  • Winona County


Mississippi

  • Alcorn County

  • DeSoto County

  • Tishomingo County


Missouri

  • Liberty (Clay County)


Nebraska

  • Omaha (Douglas County)


Nevada

  • Las Vegas (Clark)

  • Reno (Washoe)

  • Wendover (Elko)

  • West Wendover (Elko)

  • Winnemucca (Humboldt)


New Hampshire

  • Seabrook (Rockingham County)


New Mexico

  • Curry County

  • Raton (Colfax)


New York

  • Buffalo (Eirie County)

  • Crown Point (Essex County)

  • Kings County

  • New York City

  • Niagara Falls (Niagara County)

  • Ogdensburg (St. Lawrence)


North Carolina

  • Mount Airy (Surry)


Ohio

  • Aberdeen (Brown)

  • Bowling Green (Wood County)

  • Cincinnati (Hamilton)


Oklahoma

  • Love County

  • Bryan County


Pennsylvania

  • Media (Delaware County)

  • Pittsburgh (Allegheny)

  • Reading (Berks)

  • Washington County


Tennessee

  • Gatlinburg (Sevier County)

  • Roane County


Texas

  • Liberty County

  • Orange County

  • Fort Bend County


Utah

  • Farmington (Davis)


Virginia

  • Alexandria (Fairfax)

  • Frederiksburg

  • Manassas (Prince William)

  • Warrenton (Fauquier County)

  • Winchester (Frederick County)


Washington

  • Port Orchard (Kitsap)

  • Clark County

  • Skamania County


West Virginia

  • Point Pleasant (Mason)

  • Wellsburg (Brooke County)

  • West Alexander (Washington)

  • Wheeling (Ohio County)


Wyoming

  • Evanstan (Uinta County)


Have any more to add to the list? Please share via comments or email.

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