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From: Anne Peat <>
Subject: Re: [Ess] Is there a register of divorces?
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:12:48 +0000
References: <4681-Sun22Feb2009123857+0000-jpff@codemist.co.uk><000301c99522$7723ee80$656bcb80$@webb18@btinternet.com>
In-Reply-To: <000301c99522$7723ee80$656bcb80$@webb18@btinternet.com>


Yes, there are registers of divorces after 1858. The National Archives
has a leaflet about them
<http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=53&j=1
>

However, it was very complicated and expensive and for the most part
only men were able to sue for divorce.So it tended to be limited to
the upper classes and cases where money and inheritance was involved.
So ordinary people had what was known as 'a poor man's divorce' -they
just separated and lived with a new partner, sometimes marrying
bigamously, sometimes not.

There were separation orders with maintenance awards, but again, these
involved going to law which was beyond the experience and purse of
many couples.
HTH
Anne

On 22 Feb 2009, at 19:19, Martin Webb wrote:

>
> I was wondering about separation & divorce. Are there registers of
> divorces?
> Did couples in the 19th Century actually get legally divorced or did
> they
> just separate and remarry without any formality?
>
> Looking forward to you replies,
> Martin Webb
>

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