Huncamunca
The Knowledgeable One
Somehow I missed the fact that digital images of divorce records 1858-1911, from J77 at the National Archives, are online on Ancestry. Though they are labelled 'UK, Civil Divorce Records, 1858-1911' they presumably only cover England and Wales.
In case anyone else didn't know they were there, here's a bit about them.
They are searchable by name of husband and wife, date of petition, and keyword (e.g. name of co-respondent).
The example I looked at was a Witney divorce case (petition filed 3 June 1905). It runs to numerous pages including the following:
In case anyone else didn't know they were there, here's a bit about them.
They are searchable by name of husband and wife, date of petition, and keyword (e.g. name of co-respondent).
The example I looked at was a Witney divorce case (petition filed 3 June 1905). It runs to numerous pages including the following:
- Cover labelled 'COURT MINUTES', giving names of parties, and dates of filing of petition, setting down cause, decree nisi and final decree.
- Summary of key dates and court appearances
- Copy of a summons giving the Respondent 14 days to file an answer to the petition
- Decree nisi
- Order for payment of costs by Co-Respondent
- Decree absolute
- Details of the how the £400 damages paid by the Co-Respondent were to be used (mostly to be put in trust for the benefit of the youngest child).
- An answer by the Co-Respondent, denying the alleged adultery
- Petition for dissolution of marriage, with details of date and place of marriage, dates of birth of three children, details of alleged adultery. Includes claim for damages. Petitioner asks for custody of the two elder children.
- Copy of marriage certificate (11 August 1896)
- Affidavit by the Petitioner
- 'Registrar's Certificate' certifying that 'the proceedings in this Cause are correct and the pleadings are in order'
