This index represents marriage records for not only residents of the District of Columbia, but also neighboring Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. The compiler found numerous instances where both the groom and bride resided more than a hundred miles away. The primary source of information in this work was the bound marriage records books maintained in the D.C. Office of Public Records (D.C. Archives). This index lists names of bride and groom, place of residence if known, date of marriage (or license), book number and page number. Approximately 12,500 marriage licenses were issued between these dates. Of these, 4,700 marriages involved non-white persons.

" ... provides updated county and town listings within the same overall state-by-state organization ... information on records and holdings for every county in the United States, as well as excellent maps from renowned mapmaker William Dollarhide ... The availability of census records such as federal, state, and territorial census reports is covered in detail ... Vital records are also discussed, including when and where they were kept and how"--Publisher decription.