Advice on Obtaining the Marriage License

Here is some interesting advice for people seeking a marriage license from the clerk's office in Worcester, Massachusetts circa 1889:

"The applicant for a license is advised to put on a bold face and at once make known his errand to the young lady assistant, to whom he is sure to be referred if he applies to the city clerk, for the latter rarely fills out the blanks. If the candidate for matrimonial honors feels himself too bashful to undergo the ordeal he will be furnished with a form which he can fill out himself.

"As some of the newspapers publish intentions to marriage daily, it will be well for those who do not desire publicity before hand, not to procure the license until the day the ceremony is to be performed."