RC marriage in 1930s Ireland, divorce in England ? Possible ?

[kob3203]

I've just read that divorce only became possible in Ireland in 1995 ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifteenth_Amendment_of_the_Constitution_of_Ireland ).

In the UK the number of divorces appears to have been rapidly increasing through the 1940s ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divorce_in_England_and_Wales ).

So was it possible that a couple who had married in Ireland in the 30s got divorced in the UK in the 1940s ?

[Jebber]

The main reason for the increase in divorce in the UK in the 1940s is WW2.

Many marriage did not withstand the separation, not to mention the infidelity
Of one or other of the couple. My own in-laws were a case in point.

[Elwyn Soutter]

So was it possible that a couple who had married in Ireland in the 30s got divorced in the UK in the 1940s ?

Yes but with the proviso that the divorce would effectively not be recognised in the Republic of Ireland. So they couldn’t re-marry there. Really only of use to someone living outside Ireland and intending to continue doing so.

[kob3203]

Thanks Elwyn, that would fit. We think that she remarried in London and lived the rest of her life there.

I read somewhere that divorce records weren't kept for very long - is that correct ?

[Elwyn Soutter]

I read somewhere that divorce records weren't kept for very long - is that correct ?

I don’t know the answer to that. (But hopefully someone else will.).

[heywood]

Would her marital status be mentioned on her new marriage certificate?
It might be worth checking.

[Jebber]

If someone is divorced it should say on new marriage, divorced from and the ex spouse’s name.

That is what appears on the ones I have.

[kob3203]

Thst's good to know. I guess it's time to take a gamble and order that possible remarriage certificate.

[heywood]

Perhaps the only way to find out.
Were there any children born in the later marriage? You could look for mother’s maiden name.