Search for content in message boards

Are any divorce records available?

Are any divorce records available?

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 8:14PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 25 Feb 2014 12:58PM GMT
My father in law got married in Northern Ireland in the late 1940s when he was doing his National Service. He got divorced, but we're not sure when. We can only assume it was in the early 1960s as my husband was born 7 months before his parents got married - I assume they couldn't get married earlier because they were waiting for his divorce.

We only found out about his previous marriage accidentally from another relative - his parents never breathed a word and were always a bit vague about their wedding date. This other relative only knew the wife's first name.

I can't find any details about the marriage or divorce though. Are there any divorce records available anywhere online?

Re: Are any divorce records available?

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 11:32AM GMT
Classification: Query
Unless you know the court that granted the divorce you are left with paying £65 to find out the date the decree absolute was issued:

http://www.gov.uk/copy-decree-absolute-final-order

and as they can charge upto £65, I doubt they will ever become available online

Re: Are any divorce records available?

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 1:07PM GMT
Classification: Query
Have you seen the later marriage record?

Does it state that he was divorced?

If not there is possibility he simply remarried without a divorce, many did

You might also check the online newspapers but they are not always reported and not all newspapers are available as yet

The later marriage is going to be your biggest clue

Re: Are any divorce records available?

Posted: 5 Mar 2014 3:07PM GMT
Classification: Query
Sorry for the late reply - I didn't get any notification and I wasn't sure whether my question had actually been posted!

Yes, we've got his marriage certificate from the second marriage which states that his first marriage was dissolved.

Re: Are any divorce records available?

Posted: 5 Mar 2014 3:07PM GMT
Classification: Query
Sounds very expensive!

Re: Are any divorce records available?

Posted: 5 Mar 2014 11:20PM GMT
Classification: Query
First thing is, I would not assume anything as regards family history
I would try for the first marriage, then try and track the former wife, that may not be so easy though
If the first marriage in Ireland was a Catholic one there may not have been a divorce but as I said, don't assume as there are many variables

Re: Are any divorce records available?

Posted: 15 Mar 2014 4:38PM GMT
Classification: Query
We have no idea whether it was a Catholic one or not. He married her when he was posted to Northern Ireland on his National Service. I have no idea whether she ever lived in England with him. We know her first name was Sadie, and that's all.
per page

Find a board about a specific topic