Query re Divorce in England and Deed Poll

[manukarik]

Does any one know if an English marriage certificate would subsequently be annotated to show a divorce? I have learnt from a newspaper article that the marriage took place in 1938. Two months later the husband went to India with the army and served overseas until 1940 when he was discharged due to incapacity. He left on affectionate terms with his wife, but she stopped writing. When he wrote to say he was returning, she joined the ATS. He found her address, but she did not reply. The husband was granted a divorce in 1946. I am hoping that his marriage certificate, might show this so that I can enter a date in my records.

I had always been led to believe that he left his wife. I know that he went on to have children with my widowed grandmother and changed his name to hers. I have tried to find evidence of this in the London Gazette, but to no avail. He died in 1950 with my Grandmother's surname. I guess I'll just have to accept that he changed his name officially as I can find no evidence, unless any one has an alternative line of research to suggest.

Any thoughts appreciated!

[CaroleW]

There will be no details of any divorce on his 1938 marriage cert.  If he had remarried - the only mention on that cert would have been his marital status would probably have been something like “previous marriage dissolved”. Or “divorced”

[manukarik]

There will be no details of any divorce on his 1938 marriage cert.  If he had remarried - the only mention on that cert would have been his marital status would probably have been something like “previous marriage dissolved”. Or “divorced”

Thanks, CaroleW. I appreciate you taking the time to comment! That's what I feared, aw well... It's a shame we don't do this, as it would make life so much easier when trying to piece everything together. Very often French certificates are annotated with such details.

[Jebber]

You can call yourself Whatever you like, provided it is not for fraudulent purposes. It’s quite common for people to simply change the name without going to the expense of Deed Poll. You can also swear an affidavit in front of a solicitor, if you want a document to confirm the change of name, again that’s  purely optional. Many people don’t bother with either Deed Poll or Affidavit.

[manukarik]

Thanks, Jebber! I think he must have sworn an affidavit in front of a solicitor. Mum seems to remember her mum and partner travelling to see a solicitor. That means I won't be able to get anything official to confirm the date. Thanks for your help - it's appreciated!

[Girl Guide]

You say

I know that he went on to have children with my widowed grandmother and changed his name to hers.

Do you know when and under what name these children were born?

Have you checked electoral rolls to see what his name is on those?

Either of the above may give you a suggestion as to when he took your grandmother's surname.

[PurdeyB]

Hi there,

You can request a search of the Central Register of Decrees Absolute by the Family Court for a fee, although it's quite expensive if you don't have court details.

https://www.gov.uk/copy-decree-absolute-final-order

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/958048/d440-eng.pdf

Jo

[Gillg]

I was given the following advice in an earlier post when looking for a divorce and was able to find it here:

Search the online Catalogue

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp?j=1

using the surname as a search term, restricting it to series J77, and if the name is a common one you may want to restrict it by date too. The result will give the full names of both parties, and sometimes the co-respondent if there is one.

Hope this helps.

Gillg

[manukarik]

Thanks Girlguide. Will look when I’m home. First child born 1946 and he died in 1950. Good thinking!

Thank you PurdeyB and Gillg! I’ll look into / try your suggestions when I get home.

Great to see Rootschat is up and running again! Missed it when I couldn’t access it.