About the
Divorce Index. Victoria
What is the Divorce Index. Victoria?
What information will I get when I order a file?
How to get a copy of a file?
This index was compiled in 1990 by Wendy Baker and Sue McBeth from records held by the Public Record Office of Victoria. The records used in compiling this index were VPRS 5335: Index to divorce cases; and VPRS 283: Divorce case files.
It should be noted that some files from VPRS 283 no longer exist and some are too fragile to view or copy. For some couples more than one file was opened. In the case of a female the surname refers to the married, maiden, or birth surname, or previous married name of a woman, or to an alias. Please note that if you do a search and the result
does not have the surname you have requested it is because the surname
is hidden and an alternative surname or alias of one of the couples.
The layout of this index is described below:
File -
This column refers to the origin of the information as a particular file in VPRS 283. For example: 1892/152 is file number 152 in the year 1892 in VPRS 283: Divorce case files. Files for the periods 1861 - 1884 and 1885 - 1890 consist of one numerical sequence not distinguished by a year. From 1891 files are numbered from one each year and the yearly reference prefixes each file number.
Petitioner -
This column refers to the given name of one party to the divorce, usually the petitioner or plaintiff.
Respondent -
The names in this column refer to the spouse of the first party usually the respondent or defendant.
Co-respondent -
The terms 'petitioner' (the person who initiates the legal action) and 'respondent' (the person who defends the action) are used loosely in the context of this index as in some cases it is impossible to determine these with any accuracy.
This person was named in the divorce file by the petitioner as having committed adultery with their spouse, the respondent to the action.
For family history purposes, divorce case files contain a great deal of information about the partners of a failed marriage. It is normal to find the following information:
- full name of husband and wife, including wife's maiden or birth name;
- birth place of husband and wife;
- age of husband and wife;
- date and place of marriage;
- how petitioner, (the spouse filing for divorce) supported him or herself prior to the marriage;
- a precis of their married life;
- existence of children; and
- reasons for petitioning for divorce.
In person at the Public Record Office of Victoria -
A file can be ordered into the search room and viewed. Copies can be ordered. The Public Record Office of Victoria does not operate a research service. No files may be retrieved by mail, email or fax.
Macbeths -
A copy of a file can be obtained through Macbeths for $A50 per file. This includes 20 photocopies. Additional photocopies will be supplied at cost. For overseas orders add $A5 postage. Copies will take about 4 to 6 weeks depending on the work load of the Public Record Office. Additional information about the background to divorce will be supplied.
Email -
Order a photocopy from Macbeths sales@macbeth.com.au using a credit card (VISA, Mastercard or Australian Bankcard).
Mail -
Send to Macbeths with your credit card details:
PO Box 136
Hampton Vic 3188
AUSTRALIA
Fax: 03 9598 0365
International + 613 9598 0365
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