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Divorce records from 1940'2 & 1950's

Divorce records from 1940'2 & 1950's

Posted: 2 Oct 2014 5:31PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi,

I am researching one of my ancestors who was married twice. His second marriage certificate from 1953 states, previous marriage dissolved.

I don't know exactly when the previous marriage was dissolved, but suspect it was sometime between 1943 & 1953.

Could anyone offer some advice on where I could look for this information? I am struggling to find any records on this.

Thanks,
Glen.

Re: Divorce records from 1940'2 & 1950's

Posted: 3 Oct 2014 3:37AM GMT
Classification: Query
Very few divorce records are indexed online, so the key to finding the record is to make a reasonable guess where the divorce took place, and then visit the office that holds records for the court where the divorce might have taken place (this varies by state), and check their index.

Do you know where he and his first wife lived? That would probably be the place to start. Also, double-check his second marriage record to see if it includes any info about the divorce such as date or place.

Divorces were often published in local newspapers, so you might also check to see if the local newspaper is indexed in any online databases, and do a search on his name.

If you provide details in a post, someone might also be able to suggest more specific recommendations or do a lookup.

Steve

Re: Divorce records from 1940'2 & 1950's

Posted: 3 Oct 2014 12:13PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Rowberry
Hi Steve,

Thanks for this.

I'm specifically looking for a divorce record for a David Ronald Rowberry sometime in the 1940's or 50's.

I have reason to believe that it should be arount 1949-1953, but I have no evidence of this. It would likely be in the Bedwellty distcrict but almost certainly Monmothshire, Wales.

I'm not sure of his spouses name, although I have found suggestions that it could be Bevan.

Any suggestions or assitance would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Glen

Re: Divorce records from 1940'2 & 1950's

Posted: 3 Oct 2014 2:49PM GMT
Classification: Query
I didn't realize you were talking about UK records. I did a Google search on "Wales divorce records" and found the following:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-perso...

If you go to the section on decrees absolute, it gives directions for obtaining a divorce record. The fee is pretty steep, so you will have to decide whether it is worth it.

I also checked freebmd.org,uk and found three marriages listed for David Rowberry: one in 1940 to Caroline Bevan, one in 1953 to Phyllis Hook, and one in 1954 to Marian Gibbs.

Re: Divorce records from 1940'2 & 1950's

Posted: 3 Oct 2014 8:00PM GMT
Classification: Query
Yes I found those 3 marriage records. The 1953 marriage is the 2nd marriage i have confirmed, but I don't want to pay the excessive fee to confirm a divorce.
I was hoping there may be another way to confirm it and maybe view the records.
Do you know if divorce records are held in local archives?

Re: Divorce records from 1940'2 & 1950's

Posted: 3 Oct 2014 9:31PM GMT
Classification: Query
I'm not that familiar with UK divorce records, but I suspect that if you bypass the National Archives, you would need to know the exact court that handled the divorce. You may want to try posting to the Wales board to see if anyone reading that board can help.
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