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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: jen56johns on Friday 29 July 11 12:35 BST (UK)

Title: Divorce records in SA?
Post by: jen56johns on Friday 29 July 11 12:35 BST (UK)
Hi,

I'm trying to find a record of a divorce in South Australia for Albert Stevens and Grace Lugg Stevens (nee Hooper) but previous married name was Utting.

They married in 1894 but by 1906 Grace was in WA living with another man who she married in 1915.  I guess the 1915 marriage certificate may answer my question because she'd have to provide proof of the divorce.  And Albert Stevens didn't die until 1922.

I've looked in Trove but can't find anything, can anyone help?

Thanks,

Jenni.
Title: Re: Divorce records in SA?
Post by: mandywh on Sunday 11 September 11 14:08 BST (UK)
I know there are some indexes for applications in State records  but I'm not sure how far they go. There were actually very few divorces. There were more petitions for divorce and they had to be on grounds of desertion or adultery and had to have witnesses, respondents etc and very few were finalised. Check the marriage certificate for SA with Albert and see if there is any notation there and also the WA one with Grenvold. I notice on the marriage index she is Grace Stevens, i wonder if she should have been Hooper if she was divorced (married in her maiden name, but showing former names).

My great aunt married in 1910 and then in 1918, without divorce - just used a fake name with her initials for the second.
My great grandfather's first wife married 2 more men, all living and not divorced (3 marriages) so my great-grandfather also remarried after that, no divorce. They all used their real names but were all i the 1800's. People didn't carry any ID.
Title: Re: Divorce records in SA?
Post by: cando on Sunday 11 September 11 14:36 BST (UK)
Link to previous thread on Albert STEVENS and Grace UTTING.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,550510.0.html

The index for applications at State Records only extends to 1894.

Cheers
Cando

Title: Re: Divorce records in SA?
Post by: wimbush1975 on Monday 12 September 11 05:08 BST (UK)
they were living together in 1910 she was listed as married...so wonder why they did marry if people thought they already were.
Title: Re: Divorce records in SA?
Post by: mandywh on Monday 12 September 11 05:35 BST (UK)
Maybe they wanted to be covered legally, for property or financial reasons. She had children from a previous marriage, maybe he did too (i don't know the background). legal marriage smooths out  issues with  property, wills etc