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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: meerkat49 on Saturday 04 September 10 13:25 BST (UK)

Title: Divorce records
Post by: meerkat49 on Saturday 04 September 10 13:25 BST (UK)

I would be very grateful for some help with regard to my maternal family 'Bowerman'.  Edward and Emma (nee Tratt) married in Exeter in 1884.  Went to Australia where 2 children were born and returned to Tiverton where my gran was born in 1889.  By 1897 he had re-married, on the 1891 census Emma appears working at the rectory in Uffculme where it shows Emma as a widow.  Edward was alive and well in 1891 in Devon.  I don't know where to look for divorce records and would appreciate any help.  Thank you in advance.  Jay ???

Title: Re: Divorce records
Post by: Luzzu on Saturday 04 September 10 14:35 BST (UK)

Hi,

There is some information on divorce on this link:-

http://www.uk-family-history.com/divorce.html

Divorce was expensive and out of reach of the masses.  I have two couples in my tree who have separated and have gone on to marry new partners.  In both cases, they had been apart for longer than 7 years.  I understand that if a couple had been apart for 7 years and believed the other partner to be no longer living they could go on and remarry without fear of prosecution for bigamy.  I doubt they would have had to produce proof.

Luzzu

Title: Re: Divorce records
Post by: Jebber on Saturday 04 September 10 14:58 BST (UK)

Hi Jay,

You can always check to see if there is anything in the National Archives catalogue.

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Just put the name in the search box and  J where it says Department or Series Code.

Jebber

Title: Re: Divorce records
Post by: patrish on Saturday 04 September 10 16:37 BST (UK)

Quote

understand that if a couple had been apart for 7 years and believed the other partner to be no longer living they could go on and remarry without fear of prosecution for bigamy.

This was mentioned last week on WDUTYA, I think they said it was  because of the high number of deaths during WW1 with so many bodies unable to be  recovered.  :(  :-\

Title: Re: Divorce records
Post by: Annie65115 on Saturday 04 September 10 19:17 BST (UK)

i have papers from 2 divorce hearings, one in 1890 & the other in 1914. All parties concerned were very much working class. Although divorce was difficult, it wasn't impossible.

Title: Re: Divorce records
Post by: meerkat49 on Sunday 05 September 10 15:01 BST (UK)

I would like to thank everyone who assisted me yesterday with my family tree searches, it was much appreciated and useful.  Thanks Jay  :)