Divorce in Canada: From Hidden Secrets to Research Opportunities
Summary DetailsLength: 60 minutes
Summary: Divorce was once uncommon, stigmatized, and difficult to access in Canada. Explore the history of divorce laws and records across provinces and territories, helping genealogists locate, interpret, and utilise these often-overlooked sources to uncover personal details, family dynamics, and hidden stories in Canadian family history.
Audience Level: Beginner -Expert
Requirements: Projection for computer on a large screen; internet connection
Content: 4-page PDF handout
Outline:
Divorce records offer valuable insights into family life, yet they are among the most challenging records to access. Starting with the historical background of divorce in Canada, from New France, where divorce was forbidden, this presentation traces the evolution of divorce through the various provincial and Parliamentary systems, to the standardized Divorce Act of 1968 and beyond. Researchers will learn what to consider before beginning divorce research, including language, jurisdiction, and privacy laws. Explore divorce records by province, understand where they are kept and how to access them today. Practical tips will be discussed for locating restricted records, utilizing indexes, and discovering alternative sources, such as newspapers and remarriage registrations. Case studies illustrate how divorce files can uncover unexpected family details and help solve genealogical mysteries.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Identify when and where divorces were granted in Canada
- Use the Canada Gazette as a finding aid for Parliamentary divorces
- Access provincial and territorial divorce records
- Work around privacy restrictions using alternative records
- Apply divorce research to solve family mysteries
Book This Webinar NOW!
Click HERE to have me present this webinar either through your group’s virtual meeting platform or my StreamYard platform. Includes 45-50 minutes of instruction plus 10-15 Q&A session, PDF handout and a limited time (one year) webinar recording.
