Divorce

[les.the.paperman]

Quite simply, is there an easy way to trace divorces.

I have a family on 1939 register. After the war I found another child but the mother didn't match.

I found the father had remarried but then I found that the mother had as well.

I have to assume that they divorced but can't/don't know where to look for an answer.

It appears to be a 'dead' branch, so there's nobody I can ask.

Any help appreciated.


Les

 

[Heather]

Hi Les, Divorces are sometimes detailed in newspapers and Find my Past has a huge amount of records, give them a try.

 

[Pauline]

If they divorced after 1939 and you are hoping to find records online then, as Heather suggests, newspapers are your best option. You may not find any detail, unless it was a high profile divorce, but you may find them in a list of decrees issued.

Alternatively, this page on the government website indicates how you can obtain a copy of a decree absolute, but you will see that if you don't know when or at which court, this is not cheap.

 

[peter]

you can obtain a copy of a decree absolute

But it's not going to tell you anything other than the fact that they divorced - which you could also confirm by obtaining one of the marriage certificates.

There is a research guide on divorce on the National Archives site, but as you'll see the case papers they hold only go up to 1937 (there are a handful after that date). Well worth a read, however.