Divorce in Queensland Australia was very difficult to obtain. Some couples then just lived together and some underwent a bigamous marriage. What were the penalties? The records? Follow these ten bigamy case studies.
Helen has been researching her family since 1986 with research in Australia, England, Wales and Ireland. She is the author of Death Certificates and Archaic Medical Terms and Google the Genealogist’s Friend and has written for a
Absolutely fascinating! I had no idea about how far back in time bigamist marriages would go. One always has the idea that in ‘the old days’ most ordinary couples were fairly poor and would not have time to indulge in such practices. The amount of records and how old they were is amazing. Thank you for the insights. A great presentation
Great topic, especially for an Australian viewer. It makes me realise that bigamy occurs more frequently than the cases that are prosecuted in court. And, family historians are more likely to uncover secrets kept by past generations!
Helen’s presentation featured fascinating case studies, enhanced by well-designed visual materials. The webinar was outstanding and thoroughly engaging from start to finish.
To Have but No Longer to Hold: Divorce in Australia
The first colony to introduce divorce was South Australia in 1858 to the last New South Wales in 1873. The requirements differed by colony. Each colony handled its own divorces until the Federal Matrimonial Causes Act 1959 provided 14 grounds for the grant of divorce, including adultery, desertion, cruelty, habitual drunkenness, imprisonment and insanity. To succeed on one of these grounds, a spouse had to prove marital fault. There was only one no-fault ground: separation for more than five years. It was not until the Family Law Act 1975 was passed by the Federal Parliament that a "no fault divorce" existed in Australia: imprisonment and insanity. To succeed on one of these grounds, a spouse had to prove marital fault. There was only one no-fault ground: separation for more than five years.
The first colony to introduce divorce was South Australia in 1858 to the last New South Wales in 1873. The requirements differed by colony. Each colony handled its own divorces until the Federal Matrimonial Causes Act 1959 provided 14 grounds for the grant of divorce, including adultery, desertion, cruelty, habitual drunkenness, imprisonment and insanity. To succeed on one of these grounds, a spouse had to prove marital fault. There was only one no-fault ground: separation for more than five years. It was not until the Family Law Act 1975 was passed by the Federal Parliament that a "no fault divorce" existed in Australia: imprisonment and insanity. To succeed on one of these grounds, a spouse had to prove marital fault. There was only one no-fault ground: separation for more than five years.
The Gazettes were the weekly notices of Government activities meant for other government departments and some were available to the public. They are an untapped genealogical resource. The general gazette lists government appointments, various licences, Justices of the Peace, changes to legislation, deceased estates, and so much more. Police Gazettes (only available to Police departments) list police officer movements, reports of crime often listing victims, reports on entry and exit from prison, Missing Friends notices while Education Gazettes list teacher movements, school information and more. Each colony had its own Gazettes and post Federation in 1901 the Commonwealth also produced a Government Gazette.
The Gazettes were the weekly notices of Government activities meant for other government departments and some were available to the public. They are an untapped genealogical resource. The general gazette lists government appointments, various licences, Justices of the Peace, changes to legislation, deceased estates, and so much more. Police Gazettes (only available to Police departments) list police officer movements, reports of crime often listing victims, reports on entry and exit from prison, Missing Friends notices while Education Gazettes list teacher movements, school information and more. Each colony had its own Gazettes and post Federation in 1901 the Commonwealth also produced a Government Gazette.
Sadly, in Australia while censuses were taken, once the statistical data was extracted, most were destroyed. Apart from some early musters, researchers have to use other resources to try and fill in the gaps. These include electoral rolls, directories, gazettes, council rates, land records, civil registration and more. While not…
Sadly, in Australia while censuses were taken, once the statistical data was extracted, most were destroyed. Apart from some early musters, researchers have to use other resources to try and fill in the gaps. These include electoral rolls, directories, gazettes, council rates, land records, civil registration and more. While not…
Tracing Australian and New Zealand World War One Ancestors
The ANZACs were young men from Australia and New Zealand who answered the call in World War One. Using a variety of records, it is generally possible to trace their service and find out the answer to “What did you do in the war?”
The ANZACs were young men from Australia and New Zealand who answered the call in World War One. Using a variety of records, it is generally possible to trace their service and find out the answer to “What did you do in the war?”
Civil (vital) registration began at different times in the Australian colonies and remains a state responsibility to the current day. The amount of information on the certificate varies among the states as does the cost and online availability.
Civil (vital) registration began at different times in the Australian colonies and remains a state responsibility to the current day. The amount of information on the certificate varies among the states as does the cost and online availability.
Vital registration (death certificates) are just one of the record types that can be used. By looking at the range of documents that can give death information we can put our ancestor’s death and often their life into context.
Vital registration (death certificates) are just one of the record types that can be used. By looking at the range of documents that can give death information we can put our ancestor’s death and often their life into context.
Trove: An Australian and Beyond Genealogical Treasure
Australia (and the rest of the world), is very fortunate to have free access to Trove - a website of the National Library of Australia. Trove contains many digitised newspapers, some from all the Australian States and Territories up to 1954. While not every paper ever printed has been…
Australia (and the rest of the world), is very fortunate to have free access to Trove - a website of the National Library of Australia. Trove contains many digitised newspapers, some from all the Australian States and Territories up to 1954. While not every paper ever printed has been…
There are many Australian archives for research. From local council, town, State, Commonwealth, religious, business, organisational and more. Jurisdictional responsibilities changed over time, so it is important to know when and where your ancestor was to determine which archive might contain the records you need.
There are many Australian archives for research. From local council, town, State, Commonwealth, religious, business, organisational and more. Jurisdictional responsibilities changed over time, so it is important to know when and where your ancestor was to determine which archive might contain the records you need.
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Absolutely fascinating! I had no idea about how far back in time bigamist marriages would go. One always has the idea that in ‘the old days’ most ordinary couples were fairly poor and would not have time to indulge in such practices. The amount of records and how old they were is amazing. Thank you for the insights. A great presentation
Very informative.
Loved how Helen provided synopsis for so many instances of documented bigamy cases. I learned a great deal about the reasons for bigamy. Thank you!
Great topic, especially for an Australian viewer. It makes me realise that bigamy occurs more frequently than the cases that are prosecuted in court. And, family historians are more likely to uncover secrets kept by past generations!
Helen’s presentation featured fascinating case studies, enhanced by well-designed visual materials. The webinar was outstanding and thoroughly engaging from start to finish.
Interesting topic and well presented. Didn’t realize it was so prevalent. Have not encountered bigamy in my research.
Helen brings such energy into anything she does, she really hyped up the whole webinar, she is a joy to watch, bringing enthusiasm to all she does.
Helen was such a delight … she sincerely seemed to enjoy researching and presenting this most unusual topic in genealogy. Thank you Helen