Researching your ancestors from Great Britain and Ireland

A guide to researching your ancestors in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, using resources at State Library Victoria.

Divorce records

England & Wales divorce records

Information on researching divorce records can be found on the Discovery (National Archives UK) research guide.

Ancestry Library Edition
England & Wales, Civil Divorce Records, 1858-1918
Discovery (National Archives UK)
Index to divorce case files (1858-1937). See also the Divorces - further research guide.
More info: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/free-online-records-digital-microfilm/
Times Digital Archive, 1785-2019
Articles covering newsworthy divorce cases can be found in this newspaperfrom 1785-1985

Index to divorces (as listed in Palmer’s Indexes to “The Times”, London) : 1788-1910
GMF 78 / BOX 1.
Central Index of Decrees Absolute
Can request a fee based search. The Central Index is a record of all decrees absolute granted by Courts in England and Wales since 1858. It is kept and controlled by the Central Family Court.

Northern Ireland divorce records

Contact the court where the divorce was granted - either a county court or the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast. Courthouse details can be found here.

Scottish divorce records (1563 to present)

1563-1983 contact the National Archives of Scotland.
1984 onwards contact the General Register Office for Scotland.