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

[arthurk]

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

There are very few records surviving for the 1940s and onwards - see the National Archives research guide at

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/divorce/

Notwithstanding that, I remember seeing lists of decrees nisi (I think) in provincial daily or evening papers during the 1960s and 70s, but I've no idea whether this happened in London too.

[garden genie]

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.

That may depend on when and where. My 1980's marriage certificate says 'previous marriage dissolved' - which is the technical term for divorced - and does not give his name.

[ajm314159]

The original question referred to Irish marriages in the 1930s and their possible legal dissolution by the United Kingdom in the 1940s.

It seems to me doubtful, because from 1922 the UK courts would not have jurisdiction over Irish (Free State or Republic) marriages, where divorce was not a thing. The later international conventions (e.g. from 1970) which recognize trans-national divorce require that divorce
be recognized in the state where the marriage was contracted.

So I'd like to see a real example of a civil marriage made in the 26 Counties after 1922 dissolved by an act of a British court before 1995.   (If there are lots of examples, then I'll recognize my ignorance!)

[Sinann]

If you were wealthy enough it was possible, I'm just reading a newspaper report on the divorce debate in 1994 and it lists several well know business men who married in Ireland and divorced abroad.

I know one of them at least lived in ROI with his second wife.

'Rich Catholics can circumvent the ecclesiastical prohibition by going-or living- aboard.'
'- lives the revolve round London, Paris and Monte Carlo.'

[kob3203]

I just double-checked the GRO reference I got from FreeBMD and found that the transcriber had added a comment (see attached image). My great aunt's maiden name was Corbett and her first husband was Burns. We have the 1931 Irish marriage certificate, and her first husband lived till 1984.

I've ordered the new certificate, so we'll see what it says for the bride's "condition".

[kob3203]

Received the certificate today.

'Condition' of the bride 'Formerly the wife of Daniel Burns from whom she obtained a divorce'

So yes, it was possible and yes, it did happen - at least once.

[arthurk]

Thanks for the update - glad you have your answer.

[heywood]

Glad you have the information. 

[Jebber]

Glad the information was on the certificate.