Hi Liz By coincidence I replied to a similar enquiry earlier today on another list I would first have a read of the research guide http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/divorce-after-1858.htm Then go to http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Under the records menu go to the Catalogue Enter the surname of interest in the first box and in the Department or Series code enter J77 But do read the research guide first In reply to your last question, no, not legally anyway, you could remarry if the first marriage was annulled (unlikely) they were divorced, or one or other passed away Many people simply didn't bother with the formalities and remarried regardless, giving either false information or omitting the pertinent parts Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > hi folks, Is there somewhere I can lookup a divorce for ALBERT EDWARD > KEEFE? > He had married "Jean" Lilian Hale in Kensington, 1929; he was 24 and > she was "38" . We had heard that the marriage did not last. His > father was listed as "John Keefe" hawker. > > I ordered a death Cert for Albert Edward Keefe in Limehouse/Poplar, > 1944; he was 39 [that "fits" ] and died of tuberculosis. By now, this > Albert Edward Keefe had a wife name Katherine. [informant] > [he was working at a munitions works]. I then found a marriage for > Albert Edward Keefe in Leicester 1943, to Katherine Mann. > > there was a birth for Albert Edward Keefe in Kensington 1905 and a > baptism of Albert Edward Keefe to parents John and Annie Keefe. 1911 > Census showed him living at Nottinghill. > I believe all this to be the same ALBERT EDWARD KEEFE [FMP, Ancestry > and Freebmd, do not offer any good alternatives]. > > So in order to marry Katherine Mann, I would think he had divorced > "Jean" Lilian Hale. Given the disruption of WW2 on folks' lives, one > might expect he could have been in Leicester for a marriage. > > OR ? was it possible to remarry without a legal divorce? > As usual, I am hunting for my elusive "Lilian Hale Keefe". > thanks Liz of BC Canada

thanks Nivard, for the divorce records info...no evidence of either Jean Lilian Hale Keefe or Albert E Keefe in the records at NA...I suspect Albert Keefe couldnt find Lilian...if, as the family thinks, she was living on the streets of London. Maybe he didnt want to find her? Liz On Mar 24, 2011, at 2:34 PM, Nivard Ovington wrote: > In reply to your last question, no, not legally anyway, you could > remarry if the first marriage was annulled (unlikely) they were > divorced, or one or other passed away > > Many people simply didn't bother with the formalities and remarried > regardless, giving either false information or omitting the pertinent > parts > > Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > > > >> hi folks, Is there somewhere I can lookup a divorce for ALBERT EDWARD >> KEEFE? >> He had married "Jean" Lilian Hale in Kensington, 1929; he was 24 and >> she was "38" . We had heard that the marriage did not last. His >> father was listed as "John Keefe" hawker. >> >> >> So in order to marry Katherine Mann, I would think he had divorced >> "Jean" Lilian Hale. >> OR ? was it possible to remarry without a legal divorce? >> As usual, I am hunting for my elusive "Lilian Hale Keefe". >> thanks Liz of BC Canada >

well! I received Albert Edward Keefe's 2nd marriage certificate and he is listed as "widower" in 1943, when he married Kathleen ...I am fairly certain it's the right guy...[Albert Edward Keefe birth registered 1905 and baptism as St Clements Notting HIll, 1905 to "John" and father of "John Keefe" listed in both marriages, 1929 and 1943- ages correct]... now , we know that the first wife was still alive in 1943, but as this list knows from my frequent postings looking for LILIAN HALE KEEFE, who "lived under the arches", finding her has been very difficult.. well, I guess he just couldnt find her either? This was followup to Albert Keefe's death in 1944 from TB at St Andrews hospital and living at Limehouse, Poplar. cheers Liz > > In reply to your last question, no, not legally anyway, you could > remarry if the first marriage was annulled (unlikely) they were > divorced, or one or other passed away > > Many people simply didn't bother with the formalities and remarried > regardless, giving either false information or omitting the pertinent > parts > > Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) >