I have a new book on Amazon to share with you – one that I have mulled over for quite some time.  This is my ideal genealogy resource – a marriage book with photographs of each marriage bond.  There is one bond per page, as large as the page will allow (the book is 8 ½ X 11).  Under the photograph is the name of the groom and bride and bondsman, along with the date.  Some bonds name the bride’s father, list if she is a widow, many with her deceased husband’s name, or if she is a spinster – I think that’s a rather harsh word, but in the late 1700’s was normal vocabulary. 

The marriage bonds are listed by date, beginning with 1784, then alphabetical by groom.  At the end of the book is a list of names by groom, followed by a list by brides.  When you find the name of the groom or bride, go to the correct year section to find the marriage by the groom’s last name.

A sample marriage bond:

Know all man by these presents that we, James A’Sturgus and Samuel Burkes, both of Jefferson County, are held and bound unto the Governor of this Commonwealth for the time being, in the penalty of fifty pounds species, to be paid to the said Governor, his heirs or successors, to which payment we each and severally, bind ourselves, and each and several heirs, and by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this 28 May 1784.

Whereas a marriage is suddenly intended to be had and solemnized between James A’Sturgus and Jemima LeMaster, both of this county.  Now the condition of this obligation is such that if there be no lawful cause or just impediment to obstruct the said marriage, then this obligation to be void or else to remain in full force and virtue.

James A’Sturgus

Samuel Burkes

Sealed, signed and delivered in presence of William J. Johnston

Until 1792 Kentucky was a part of Virginia.  The early bonds are listed as County of Jefferson and State of Virginia (some say Commonwealth).  Reading the list of governors’ names is a lesson in history itself – Benjamin Harrison, December 1, 1781 to November 30, 1784; Patrick Henry, November 30, 1784 – November 30, 1786; Edmund Randolph, November 30, 1786 to November 12, 1788; Beverley Randolph, November 12, 1788 – to December 1, 1791; and Henry Lee, December 1, 1791 – June 1,1792, when Isaac Shelby became Kentucky’s first governor.

This first volume  contains marriages from 1786 to 1792.  The second volume will be from 1793-1799.

I hope this helps with your genealogy research!