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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Norfolk => Topic started by: Mrs.Coppertop on Monday 27 June 11 21:57 BST (UK)
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Hi,
I`ve just ordered and received a marriage certificate for a relation of mine who married in 1958. (Both now deceased).
The husbands condition is listed as Widower. The wifes condition is listed as Previous marriage dissolved.
Does anyone know what "Previous marriage dissolved" means please.
I`ve found the wifes first marriage on the BMD indexes and she was married for the first time in 1946. If she divorced, are there any records available?
Many thanks in advance for any help and replies.
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divorced
xin
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Hi there
A marriage dissolved normally means that the marriage although legal has been finished because the couple are not living with each other anymore for various reasons. Could be living apart, someones infedelity so they are no longer living in the same house etc. People put in prison for 30 years etc.
It means a divorce but even in the 1950's it was not something you went around and bragged about. I cant remember anyone who lived near me being divorced in the 1950's. Or they didnt tell everyone.?
Dont know about divorce papers I am sure someone will come on and let you know.
regards Sandymc
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I have the Divorce papers of my parents who divorced in the 50's
xin
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Thank you very much Sandymc and xin for your replies, your interest and replies to my post are very much appreciated.
Would you happen to know how I could obtain a copy of the divorce papers? I know the wifes first marriage took place in Prescot, Lancashire but she obviously moved back to Norfolk before marrying my relation in 1958.
I have checked The National Archives site but the searches for Divorce case files go from 1858-1937. Are there any other options or ways of finding out?
Many thanks again
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Not sure. cos I found my parents documents in my Moms papers after she died...
sorry..
xin
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From TNA website:
.1 Certified copies of decrees nisi and absolute
For legal proof of a divorce in any court in England and Wales from 1858 to the present day, you will need to request a search of the Central Index of Decrees Absolute. To do so, download Form D440 from Her Majesty's Courts Service website and post it to the Principal Registry of the Family Division.
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/d440_e.pdf
Hope that helps.
Nanny Jan
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Hi
I received my dads divorce papers for 1920 from the NA, very interesting reading, but there was no Decree Absolute with them, I paid £60 for a search, for them ring me and tell me that my dad had committed Bigamy twice the last time with my mom.
Margp
Edit. I think that the form may be out of date I sent £40 and few weeks later they asked me another £20 stating that it was £60 therefore, if you send for this, I would call them for the correct price.
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Many sincere thanks xin, Nanny Jan and Margp for your replies.
Looks like an expensive exercise trying to locate divorce papers. I`ll have to ponder on that option for a while. The person concerned is not a blood relative and whilst I am interested and intrigued there are more "important" certificates I would prefer to order from my paternal line first.
Really appreciate everyone taking an interest in this thread.
Thankyou very much.
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After 1937 all that is available is a copy of the Decree Absolute, apart from a handful of cases retained for precedent reasons.
Nanny Jan
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Hi
Searches can be undertaken by HM Courts and Tribunals service, the search costs £60 for each 10 year period they search. If they locate an entry in their index, they will write to the court concerned and you will get a copy of the decree absolute.
All that is stated are the names of the parties, when they mrried and when the decree was made absolute.
You won't get any case details, the decree won't even show the cause of the divorce.
It's an expensive £60 to pay with very little return for your money.
Dawn
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Many thanks Nanny Jan & Dawn for your replies.
Really appreciate the content of your reply Dawn. I think you`ve probably answered my question regarding applying for a copy of the divorce papers, as you mention, it seems an awful lot of money to pay for little return.
Although I am curious to find out more details I feel the investment is not worth the basic information that is returned.
Sincere thanks.
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Hi again
Just thought I think a divorce in the 1950's would have been put in the newspaper as it wasnt a thing that happened alot. Not everyone bought
the local paper in those days and as I mentioned before you hoped they
didnt as it was still with a stigma in those days. Just wondered if it was
in the local papers as I am sure I have seen it in the past in the local.
Cannot remember if it said why the divorce was granted but it wouldnt
cost you anything to search the local Library newspaper archives.
regards Sandymc
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Dissolved is not the same as divorced.
Marriages can be dissolved where they weren't 'proper'
Historical often when someone lied about their age & were then found to be underage, but also if they were under the influence at the ceremony or had mental health issues (basically fit not fit to agree to marriage).
If they've never been consummated they can also be dissolved.
You can still have a marriage dissolved today, it's not all about avoiding the shame of divorce.
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Hi jcjc123
did you mean to resurrect a topic from 2011?
Dawn