Genealogy Chat

Trying to find if my ancestor was really divorced before he remarried. So would appreciate any help or advice in locating such records.


Thanks Lou

Depends when, there are records at the National archives, also on Ancestry,but these only go to 1911

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/divorce.htm

George

Hi George

Thanks very much, but I'm really looking between 1941 - 1951 Staffordshire, England

Lou

Hi Lou

Sorry cant help on those dates, but on the National Archives site I posted , there is a section about decree absolute, but I think you have to send off forms etc.

Perhaps someone else will come along to help you.

George

From the national archives

The survival rate of divorce case files is:
•1858-1927: almost 100%
•1928-1937: 80%
•After 1937 : less than 0.2%

see http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/divorce.htm

Roy

What is his status on the cert of his re-marriage?

Hi Reggie,

This is what is written in the section "Condition"

" formerly the husband off (names) and from whom he obtained a divorce.

Lou

In that case, one must assume that a divorce was obtained

I think he may have had to produce his divorce certificate before he could remarry. I did.

If you really have the need to know! & are flush lol, you could apply for the Decree nisi / Absolute,however it's not a cheap option,I understand it now costs around £60 & very little information! it ONLY proves that a divorce took place! & it would appear you have that much info already re the marraiage certificate

Some years ago I had searches done for the actual records of 2 known divorces in my family (my parents & my in-laws) for the years between 1946 & 1952 & no Divorce records could be found for them,I was told that very few survive from that period!.......as per Roys, reply.
I didn't bother with the nisi / absolute for them because even back then it was too expensive, I would rather have paid for the actual records.

JOAN.

Hi Amokavid and Tenerife Sun and everyone,

Thanks so much for the info, my divorce and remarriage was so far back I couldn't remember if I had to produce my divorce certificate, so that's a good tip thanks.

Just to update you all on how a simple tip can help you in other ways.

I followed the link given by Porkie Pie and George and you must all know what it's like trying to stay focused on the search in hand. Well I'm afraid I didn't. I got sidetracked and went 'wondering' - I'm not sure why or how I ended up where I was but it led me to some fantastic discoveries. I've now found the actual birth dates and baptism's of 5 ancestors AND discovered they had another child. All in different countries overseas which has now enabled me to have a clearer insight of where one might have married.

So from the bottom of my heart I real BIG Thank You.

Regards and good luck to you all in your own research. <3 :-D

When a couple go to give notice of their intention to marry (or Banns published in the Church of England) they will be asked questions about themselves and also the same questions about the other party. They will be asked if they have ever been married before in this, or any other country. If they answer, "No", they should then be asked to confirm that they're single and free to be married. If they say "Yes", they will be asked how that marriage ended. If it was by death of their former spouse they will be asked to produce a death certificate. If the marriage ended by divorce, they will be asked to produce the Decree Absolute (not the Decree Nisi which, in itself, proves nothing).

All Registration Officers will do this. I'm far less confident about what goes on in the Vicar's office or parlour!

Hope that helps...

Hi David,

Thanks very much. I just don't recall having to produce any evidence of my divorce, but I suppose I must have. The story about his life was somewhat of a dodgy character - that he was a bigamist.

Thanks again David, good luck to you.

Regards Lou