Divorces

[obadiah]

Can anyone tell me please where I ca look up details of a divorce somewhere around 1841-1851?  Is there such a record?
It would have occured in either Tewkesbury area or Upton on Severn.

Thanks
Obadiah

[LoneyBones]

Sorry Obadiah, I have no idea if or where there would be records kept.
But...prior to the 1850's it took an act of parliment to obtain a divorce, so it was very costly and very few people divorced. Therefore, I imagine it would have been a noteworthy occurance and might be in the local area papers. Newspapers should be archived, try a Google search for divorce in Tewkesbury or Upton.
Otherwise, wait for a more knowledgeable person than I. 

Leonie.

[stanmapstone]

See http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,416707.0.html

Stan

[LoneyBones]

That's very interesting Stan.
My G-G-Grandparents were divorced in Australia in 1880. It must have cost a lot less here, or they were a lot more wealthy than I ever thought.

Leonie.

[obadiah]

Thank you Stan for that.  I have only presumed a divorce as the children were "farmed out" and mother had the letter D in the column for married or single.  Father was living elsewhere with a woman he claimed as wife but she had a different name and the initial in the m& s column looks like an "s" but is unclear.

[stanmapstone]

According to http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=53
The very poor could sue without payment of fees ‘in forma pauperis’ if they could prove their lack of means.
The real opening of divorce to all classes did not take place until the 1920s, with the extension of legal aid, and the provision of some local facilities

Stan

[obadiah]

Thanks again Stan.  Reading your link to National Archives, it would appear that my relatives were  probably divorced under that particular "pauper" clause.  Appreciate your help.
Obadiah