Genealogy Chat

Hi Helen,

For what it's worth, in those days divorces were as often as not, 'engineered'. The husband went off with someone paid for the 'gig' to a hotel for the night and the private detective turned up to see/photograph them in flagrante delecto.

Having done 'the gentlemanly thing' the husband was then sued for divorce by his wife and they both went off, free, into the sunset.

So, whatever the circumstances that REALLY existed at the time, there is a very good chance that the paperwork wouldn't have shed any light on it.This was in the good 'ole/bad 'ole days before no-fault divorce.

Victoria

Thanks Karen & Joan,

I appreciate your input.

bye Helen

Thank you MB for the additional information. Apologies for my late reply, just got up.

bye Helen

Helen

You could try the Decree Absolute Search Section (020 7947 7017) [Principal Registry of the Family Division]

Email - [email protected]

I know from the divorce information I have that they hold very little 'nosey' information. Once they've done the initial search and you get the reference number they can usually look up the decree nisi - which may give names, reasons etc. but nothing really 'meaty'. The solicitor who handled the divorce would hold the documents which contain the 'interesting' stuff and they don't hold that level of detail.

MB

Hi MB

Unfortunately living in Australia, I cannot visit personally. I do know that they divorced, as both re-married in the same year 1948. I guess I am being nosey and would like to know why their marriage broke up, and why both parties remarried in the exact year.

Thank you for the address, sorry to be a pest, but do they have an email contact.

bye Helen

Helen

These are not available for the public to search. The search has to be done by the Courts Service.

HMCS (Her Majesty's Court Service)
Principle Registry of the Family Division
Decree Absolute Searches
R 2.03
First Avenue House
42-49 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NP

Tel 020 7947 7016 or 7017

I think the search costs is £25 for each 10year period (yes expensive). If I remember correctly for an extra £1 you can get the Decree Nisi which will give you details i.e. why abandonment, adultery (it may even name names!) etc.

I've found them helpful both on the phone and in person. If you do visit they'll only search two years while you wait. Give them a call.

Alternatively, try looking at TNA

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=53

and

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/

What details are you hoping to find or do you just want to confirm a couple actually got divorced, they don't contain much info?


MB

Thanks for that Rose,

Did an advanced search and it looks like my lot fall within the "destroyed category". If they had divorced 10 years prior, there was a good chance of retrieval.

Ah well, can't win them all.

thanks
Helen

Helen,

Try the Advanced Search on this site. I know this question has been asked before.

Rose

Hello,

Grandparents were divorced in Staffordshire between 1943 and 1948 when both remarried. Both are now deceased. Is it possible to obtain a copy of their divorce papers. I have googled but cannot obtain any answers.

Any help would be appreciated thanks

Helen