Genealogy Chat

Bear with me please, as I am new here. Very good so far, but how certain can I be that the results are correct? After a few negative searches, I tested the system by searching for an event that I knew took place. Exact date and names entered, district London, and all variations of names entered. Nothing. Can an event that occurred in the High Court be missed?

John

It depends on the event, can you say what it is? giving the exact date is often a problem on records, as is being too specific on area etc, putting in less info can bring up a result.
Simple example is that if you put in my birth year, I wouldn't show up as I was registered in the first quarter of the following year.

Thanks.

Event was a divorce in 1979. Even when the 'give or take' option is used, from 2 to 10 years, nothing. All name variations used, to no avail. The system does not recognise either party.

You will not find a recent divorce online....my OH would be mortified if his divorces could be found by anyone

You may find some old divorces dating back before the 1930s so all parties would now be dead


Do GR actually list any old divorces? cannot see it mentioned anywhere

FMP have them for these years

Search divorces & matrimonial
causes 1858 - 1903

Thanks Jax. That is one possibility I never considered. My faith in the system restored.

Jax

I wish my divorce could be seen on line!!!.....pmsl!

I hav'nt bothered to get one yet....he can pay if he wants one :-D

This is what the National Archives have to say about the survival of Divorce records............

Case files: survival rates and search tips

The Principal Registry contains only the decrees granting a divorce, but many people sued unsuccessfully for a divorce.
For each suit, whether successful or not, case files were created, containing the original petition and response, relevant marriage and birth certificates, court process, copies of decrees (from about 1870 onwards) and sometimes evidence.

Very few survive after 1937............

Case files are now destroyed 20 years after the divorce. If you are within the 20 year period, you can apply to the relevant court for permission to see the file.

Surviving case case files can be seen at The National Archives, in J 77 (which is searchable online by name).

* 1858-1927: almost all survive

* 1928-1937: 80% survive (files from the district registries have been destroyed)
.
* 1938-date: most have been destroyed.

A very small annual sample has been kept, subject to 30-year closure
* (search J 77 in the Catalogue, for these using surname only for example, Cassidy.
* A further 2% random sample is in J 132 for cases where the Official Solicitor acted for one of the parties: these are subject to a 75 year or longer closure.

You can get a copy of the Decree nisi & Absolute but this costs £65, a lot of money for very little information!

Joan.

When I needed to get a divorce, I did it myself. I went to the 'firms' solicitors who advised me that I could do so myself far cheaper than using them!!!

Cost me £100.00 (about £500.00 if done via solicitors)

this was about 18 years ago

No contest from him, had to get his address from his brother as I had no idea where he was.

Best £100.00 ever spent. Just wish I could remember where I put all the papers!!!!