Victoria, Australia, Divorce Records, 1860-1940

This collection is comprised of divorce records from the state of Victoria in south-eastern Australia. From the Public Record Office Victoria website on this collection:

“The case file will contain a number of documents that might include:

• the petition stating the grievance
• affidavits (or supporting statements) by the petitioner
• a formal answer by the respondent and any co-respondents (in cases of adultery, both parties to the adultery were summoned)
• further affidavits in support of that answer
• orders by the court directing who is to pay for the costs of the case
• a praecipe, which is an order to the clerks of the Court to produce a writ containing the formal decree made by the justice. The praecipe will often have a summary of the decision

Note that not all cases were heard. Sometimes they were withdrawn before the hearing or otherwise settled.”

“Divorce files and cause books.” Public Record Office Victoria. 9 April 2019, https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/divorce-files-and-cause-books