Genealogy Chat

In the mid 19th century? GGG Grandad married for 2nd time while 1st wife still alive and living with grandsons family, Just wondered if he was a bigamist or if divorce was poss? Cazx

Good question. BRB

Have a look at this site: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet*.*co.uk/Wmarriage.htm The laws in Britain were based on the idea that women would get married and that their husbands would take care of them. Before the passing of the 1882 Married Property Act, when a woman got married her wealth was passed to her husband. If a woman worked after marriage, her earnings also belonged to her husband. The idea was that upper and middle class women had to stay dependent on a man: first as a daughter and later as a wife. Once married, it was extremely difficult for a woman to obtain a divorce. The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 gave men the right to divorce their wives on the grounds of adultery. However, married women were not able to obtain a divorce if they discovered that their husbands had been unfaithful. Once divorced, the children became the man's property and the mother could be prevented from seeing her children.

they have been in existance since the 1600s but VERY rare. most probable that they just 'went their seperate ways' What was his occupation?

OC has a divorce from the 1600s in her tree - and the woman won.

Does his 2nd marriage cert describe him as widowed, divorced or bachelor?

Thanks all, havent got the cert but have had info supplied from another member, both kisted as his wife on census, cazx

My 2xGt Uncle was divorced by his first wife in the early 1890's on the grounds of Adultary. June x