Genealogy Chat

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a divorce and an annullment. Thanks Jelly

An annulment means the marriage was null and void ( the didnt have a marital relationship), bigamy, mental illness, inmaturity(underage) etc

Annulments were/are more commonly found among Roman Catholics, who didn't allow divorce. Reg

So would children from an annulled marriage still have the fathers name or would they have used the mothers maiden name.

Haven't a clue........sorry. But I'm curious to know how they wangled an annulment if there were children of the marriage. The 'wife' should technically still be a virgin for an annulment to be allowed. Reg

Reg- not sure you're right about the virgin bit. Grounds for annulment in UK include * The marriage has not been consummated. * At the time of marriage your spouse was already married to someone else. * One of you was under 16 years of age when you get married. * You have married a close relative. * Your spouse had a venereal disease at the time of marriage and they knew about it but you didn't. * Your spouse was pregnant with another person's child at the time of the marriage and they knew about it but you didn't.

An Annulment means that technically a marriage never took place - it is wiped from the records (not actually - but if you try to get a copy of a marriage cert which was later annulled, you will get a reply to say that the Registrar could not find a marriage which corresponded with the info you gave). Any children born to a marriage which was later annulled can use whatever surname they like - they are not breaking the law. OC

Thanks for the information all. I wonder if the parish records still have a copy of the licence, its worth a try. Thanks all once again for your valuable pieces of information. Best wishes Jelly

If you wish to find out if a declaration of nullity was granted then you have to apply to the same people who look for divorce absolutes: The Principal Registry of the Family Division Decree Absolute Search Section First Avenue House 42-49 High Holborn London WC1V 6NP Tel: 0207 947 6000 I would suggest you phone first as, obviously, the second line of the address is the wrong department! Merry

Thanks Merry, although I know for sure there was an annulment, this address will come in handy for future reference. Jelly

Jelly You will have to track down the ORIGINAL PRs I think - Bishops varied in their instructions to the Clergy. Some were told to 'strike out' the marriage after an annulment (so, big black lines in the PR) and some were told to make a marginal note. And some didnt bother.. OC

OC I live in the parish were the marriage took place, and I no there are records on fishe (fish fesh feich omg my spelling is appauling) whether they go up to the date I want is another matter. I will have to wait till the week end before Ican get there to see if they are still there. Jelly