Divorce

The Supreme Court (see AU WA A44 Agency 44 ) was granted jurisdiction in matrimonial causes in 1863. In 1961 the State's divorce laws were superseded by the Commonwealth Matrimonial Causes Act (1959), although cases under this act were still heard by the Supreme Court. In 1975 the Family Court Act came into effect and the state controlled Family Court took over from the Supreme Court divorce and matrimonial causes jurisdiction. The records which relate to divorce are as follows:

• AU WA S40 CONS 3409: Supreme Court. Divorce Registers 1864-1946
  Each volume includes precis and decrees. Later volumes record the names of petitioners, respondents and co-respondents; maiden name of wife and date and place of marriage; and (from 1941) the number of children of the marriage. For more detailed description of records please see Order in the Court.
• AU WA S40 CONS 3455: Supreme Court. Divorce Registers 1947-1961
• AU WA S40 CONS 4331: Supreme Court. Divorce Registers 1961-1976
• AU WA S35 CONS 3404: Supreme Court. Divorce files 1864-1946
• AU WA S35 CONS 3457: Supreme Court. Divorce files 1946-1960
• AU WA S35 CONS 4211: Supreme Court. Divorce files 1961-1977
• AU WA S820 CONS 4213: Supreme Court. Divorce exceptions and Interstate Divorce files 1962-1975
• AU WA S2133 CONS 6474/1: Family Court of Western Australia. Files - Matrimonial and de facto 1976-1989
• AU WA S2133 CONS 7008/1: Family Court of Western Australia. Files – matrimonial and de facto 1989