Divorce

Bertha · Post by **Bertha** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:33 pm

Hi All
Looking for some guidance on divorce circa 1869/70.
From the NAS site, I have found out that my husbands 2xgr grandparents were bigamously married,(as I had suspected after finding 3 marriages for the same man on the IGI & at SP) he served 15 months in Perth Prison for the offence only to marry the same woman again a month after he was released. Can only assume he had subsequently divorced his wife or she passed away. The marriage to the original wife had been in the RC church and I can find no trace of divorce on the NAS site.
There are a few deaths in the period for a woman with the same name but not in the area I had hoped to find her. Not paid to look at them on SP yet, saving it for NRH.
So any input/thoughts on this would be much appreciated
Bertha

Post by **AndrewP** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 11:26 pm

Hi Bertha,

What is on the after-jail marriage certificate? Is he listed as single, widowed or divorced? Hopefully he is not listed as married.

Have you seen the pre-jail marriage certrificates. Do they have RCEs mentioned on them? I have seen RCEs for divorce and for bigamy annotated on the marriage certificates.

All the best,

AndrewP

Bertha · Post by **Bertha** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:06 pm

Hi Andrew
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Cannot see RCE on certificate.
He puts his status as batchelor on the both certs!
All names occupations are about the same, even one of the witnesses is the same on both.
Bertha

Post by **joette** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:44 pm

Wonder if the Witness was charged as an accesory?

Bertha · Post by **Bertha** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:24 pm

Ha!Ha Joette. Makes you wonder.
There is another reference no referred to in the trial but when I bring it up, lots of names on a list for not having appeared at court. The trial took place only 4 mths after the marriage so someone wasn't letting him away with it. There is a reference to the trial having been delayed.
My curiosity makes me think I should take a wee holiday from work and sneek a peak at the actual document. I know his gr gr great grandchildren won't believe me until they see it for themselves.
I wish NAS opened at night or on a Saturday.
Regards
Bertha

Bertha · Post by **Bertha** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:45 pm

Joette
Thought you might like to know, found a report on the trial in the Scotsman but no sign of anything on the witnesses having been had up in court as aiding and abetting, though they did stand witness at the trial.
Seems it was the minister found out through his servant recognising the man when he had lived in the same lodgings as him & his 1st wife.
It gave quite a good account of the circumstances but still trying to find out how he was able to marry the same woman a second time.
Regards
bertha