How do I show a divorce on a family tree?

Most modern family tree platforms, including Findmypast’s family tree builder, allow you to record multiple marriages and relationship statuses.  

Here’s how to do it: 

1. Record the marriage first, linking the two individuals as spouses with their wedding date and location if known. 
2. Add the divorce date and place, if available. In Findmypast’s tree builder, you can enter this in the relationship facts section. 
3. If a person remarried, create a new marriage entry for the second (or subsequent) partner, and record any children from that union accordingly. 

This creates a clear timeline of relationships, showing multiple marriages at once with a dotted line to indicate the previous marriage.  

If you’re not sure exactly when a couple divorced - or whether they legally divorced at all - it’s still worth noting that the relationship ended. You might use an approximate date or simply record it as ‘divorced before [year]’, based on other clues (like a new marriage or different surnames in later records). 

Remember, some couples separated informally and never legally divorced, especially before the 20th century. In these cases, it’s best to make a note of what you’ve found and keep an eye out for further records. 

In England and Wales, civil divorce records date from 1858 onwards. You’ll find indexes of these up to 1903 on Findmypast, showing the names of both parties and the year of the decree. For divorces that took place after 1903, the probate registry is your best port of call. 

Before 1858, divorce was rare and complex, often requiring a private Act of Parliament. Separation and annulment were more common. 

For Scottish ancestors, divorce was legally possible from the mid-1500s, but remained rare until the 20th century. Records can be found in the National Records of Scotland. 

Irish divorce records are less accessible, as legal divorce wasn't permitted until 1995 in the Republic. In Northern Ireland, divorce became legal in 1939. 

Our ancestors lived full and complicated lives, and divorce is simply part of that story for many families. Whether it’s a formal record or a family story passed down, even a single clue can help you delve deeper and understand the milestones that shaped your family tree.