Bigamous marriages

[Jane Masri]

I've read up on this a little bit but would like some more input, perhaps by someone who's had experience of it...in their research I mean 
I have a marriage in 1909, bride is a widow & groom states, bachelor.  The son of this marriage, in 1939 just prior to his wedding, changes his name by deed poll (I have the gazette announcement on this) reverting back to his mother's name by her previous marriage & giving himself a completely new Christian name.  To all intents & purposes it gives the impression that he has totally disassociated himself from his birth father although he is clearly named on his marriage certificate and is deceased.
Family story's lead us to believe that there was no love loss between father & son (we don't know the reasons) his mother kept the name from this marriage.
Which brings us to the question, why did he so dramatically change his name?  One theory of mine is that perhaps his 'father' had entered into a bigamous marriage with his mother & once found out his son wanted no more to do with him as, technically, he was illegitimate.
What would have happened in such circumstances in the early 20c?  Would there have been court proceedings?
Ideas & input greatfully received,

jane

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Jane,

several topics under Bigamy: in the RootsChat Lexicon


regards,
Bob

[Jane Masri]

  Ta Bob,

jane

[aghadowey]

People changed their names for various reasons. Both my grandfather's changed their Christian names for personal reasons without falling out from rest of family. I changed my middle name (done legally. not informally).
Perhaps more uncommon to change surname but may have been because of dislike of father, being closer to maternal grandfather, etc.

[Dancing Master]

Bigamy was and still is  a criminal imprisonable offence.

[Jane Masri]

There could be so many reasons, aghadowey.  Perhaps his father just upped & left them & moved in with another women or married her bigamously & was found out    divorce was not that easy in those days & many women were reluctant to give one...perhaps we'll never know  

jane

[Jane Masri]

That is if you get found out, Dancing Master    & want to bring a case against your spouse,

jane

[RJ_Paton]

That is if you get found out, Dancing Master    & want to bring a case against your spouse,

jane

Bigamy is actually a criminal offence and so at that time in England the prosecuting authority would have been the Police. The bigamous marriage may have come to light for a number of reasons and been reported to the authorities and the inevitable then happens ..... early court records I am told, make reference to heavy penalties imposed upon those found guilty although by the 1920's and 30's this was often 6 months imprisonment.

[Jane Masri]

Thanks Falkyrn, that's a bit clearer.  Interesting stuff 

jane