Canada Vital Records: Difference between revisions

Divorces were uncommon before the mid-20th century, but some did occur. Fewer than 900 divorces were granted in all of Canada between 1867 and 1913. Only Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and British Columbia had their own divorce courts during this time. Parliamentary divorces were required for residents of Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories until about 1919. Until 1930 in Ontario and until 1968 in Quebec and Newfoundland, obtaining a divorce required an act of the Parliament of Canada.  

Brian Gilchrist’s''Index to Canadian Parliamentary Divorces, 1867-1930'' (Toronto: privately published) indexes all names, both partners, children etc. Some individual’s petitions or records are held by the Library and Archives of Canada, check the their website, Government of Canada Files database, key word “Divorce”—but after 1916 you must apply to the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Council, Senate of Canada.

As well, on the Internet, [http://www.cangenealogy.com/armstrong/index.htm Hugh Armstrong’s Genealogy Site], contains material on “Canadian Parliamentary Divorces to 1946”. An Introduction gives an excellent summary of the history of divorce in Canada, and it is only one of a number of lists, indexes, and how-to-do offerings.<ref>Douglas, Althea. "New Brunswick Marriage and Divorce Records (National Institute)," ''The National Institute for Genealogical Studies'' (2012), https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/New_Brunswick_Marriage_and_Divorce_Records_%28National_Institute%29.</ref>

The act(s) for a divorce often include detailed genealogical information. To get a copy, send the names of the spouses and the estimated year of divorce to:  

:Clerk of the Senate<br>Parliament Buildings<br>Ottawa, ON K1A 0N4<br>Canada<br>Telephone: 613-992-2416

Divorce information may also be available from the provincial vital records offices (listed below).