Knowledge base

Wills and Divorces

Divorce and matrimonial causes

• Introduction
• How to interpret
• Divorce records

Introduction

From 1873 all cases were heard by the then newly created Supreme Court of Judication, Probate and Admiralty Division, London, England.

Causes are listed by hand in entry books under the first letter of the Petitioners surname and record the full name of the Petitioner and the full name of the Defendant(s). In some cases up to eight Defendants are named.

If any party is known to have more than one surname, the alternative surnames are listed.

Details of the year of registration and cause number are included and many pages contain additional information inserted between causes; usually in the form of a reference to other petitions, dates of decrees and final outcome.

How to interpret

How were the original divorce and matrimonial causes indexes recorded?

The entries are listed chronologically by hand and are not in true alphabetical order but grouped by the first letter of the Petitioner\"s surname.
In many cases the reference 'orse' (meaning otherwise known as) is used for parties known to have more than one surname.
For example: In 1879 Annie Cohen otherwise known as Annie Van Moppas brought an action against Jules Cohen otherwise known as Jules Van Moppas.

In the entry book the case is listed as: Cohen orse Van Moppas Annie v Cohen orse Van Moppas. In some cases where the Defendant's surname is the same as the Petitioners surname, only the first letter of the Defendant's surname is included.
For example: In 1884 Samuel Chappell Wild brought an action against Maria Wild and a third party named Bishop.
In the entry book the case is listed as: Wild Saml Chappell v W Maria and Bishop.

Often, if a previous or later petition exists a cross reference may be added although it should be noted that not all additional petitions are noted in the entry books.
For example: In 1862, Caroline Sarah Massey brought an action against Nathaniel William Massey. The entry has been cross referenced with a further Petition in 1863.

First and middle names are often abbreviated. A comprehensive list of abbreviated names appearing in the Index to Divorce and Matrimonial Causes 1858 – 1903 is available.

I've found a divorce entry, what next?

If you find and entry in the index there should be a case number recorded. Not all pages include the date of the entry; please refer to the date shown in the search results. The year of entry and cause number is the vital reference for finding the case notes.

Case notes contain the petition and often copies of any affidavits and decrees. Case notes can be ordered at The National Archives.

Divorce records

The divorce records are a set of registers of decrees nisi and absolute, with their indexes. These are kept by the Principal Registry of the Family Division (PRFD), and are not accessible by the public. Instead, officials will carry out a paid search of the index, and certified copies of the decrees can be bought. You can contact them at:

Principal Registry of the Family Division
First Avenue House
42-49 High Holborn
London
WC2V 6NP
Tel: 020 7947 6971 or (international) +44 20 7947 6971

http://www.courtservice.gov.uk