Previous marriage dissolved

[Deirdre784]

Hi, i have found a number of similar posts on here about dissolution and divorce being the same thing, but i'm wondering why 'condition' on a marriage certificate seems to say 'previous marriage dissolved' yet if actually divorced it will name the other party as in eg 'the divorced husband of [name], formerly [maiden name]', or another example 'formerly the wife of [name] from whom she obtained a divorce'. These are 2 of several certificates i have on my family, but not my current puzzle.

To me, this seems to suggest that dissolution and divorce are slightly different and i'm wondering if the man i'm helping research - where 'previous marriage dissolved' appears under the condition - wasn't legally married to his previous 'wife' - no marriage can be found, but there were children, registered with his surname and the mother's maiden name. This was during WW2; his first wife had been killed in a car accident only 2 months after the wedding. Not naming names as descendants are still alive, but just wondering about the situation, and is this why we can't find a marriage record.

Thanks

[Guy Etchells]

In some jurisdictions (such as some states in USA) there is a legal difference between dissolution & divorce, basically a dissolution is an amicable separation whereas a divorce involves the court make a decision instead of just witnessing the ending of the marriage.

Here in the UK the terms mean the same thing.
Cheers
Guy

[Deirdre784]

Thanks Guy, i had seen that in the US, and it sounds pleasantly good, but i’m still puzzled by this terminology in England and Wales. The later family knew nothing about this ‘marriage’ and children, so there was no connection and it  seems rather strange.

[rosie99]

I can't imagine that anyone who was remarrying after a divorce would want their ex's details on their new marriage certificate. 

I have a new marriage in the UK that shows the bride as 'previous marriage dissolved', I also have the original marriage certificate and their divorce 'decree absolute'

[BumbleB]

I've got one in my family - she re-married in 1872, having reverted to her birth surname, and is labelled "divorced woman".  Again I have her original marriage certificate and the divorce papers.

[Deirdre784]

Hadn’t thought of it like that Rosie (getting very ‘matter of fact’ about family history things that I wouldn’t have expected to find). I guess the puzzle is compounded by no apparent marriage to the mother of the children, and given that it was during the war it seemed likely they hadn’t married (both parties are pictured in uniform).

[Deirdre784]

Thanks BumbleB, guess it’s just different terminology in different areas, or up to the couple and the registrar.

[BumbleB]

Yes, I'm sure you are correct.  The ex-husband in the case I referred to re-married in 1873 as a Widower.

[rayard]

My marriage certificate says "previous marriage dissolved" but I can assure you it was a proper legal divorce!!!!! (UK 1985) No mention of the first husband thankfully.
rayard.