On the 1st of January, hundreds of historic State Government archives were made public as part of Public Record Office Victoria’s annual opening of officially closed records.

Included in the newly opened files are Ballarat divorce court records from 1941. 

Ballarat Archives’ access services officer Gertie Cotterill says these newly opened records are of astonishing cultural interest for family historians and those wishing to understand what daily personal life was like in our forebear’s day.

“Grounds for divorce included desertion and cruelty, but these had to be proved beyond doubt in a public court, which could mean that person was ostracised in the community.

“Women were often left with no income and the stigma of divorce. It wa a messy business.”

These records include a complete chronicle of events and facts about each case and are an incredible resource for family history researchers. The files are now on open access at the Ballarat Archives Centre, where we now provide researchers with access to over 50 years of divorce records dating back to 1890.

For example, in the affidavit of petitioner Amy Victoria Amelia Rundell, you can learn a lot about life in 1940s Ballarat. She says:

I Amy Victoria Amelia Rundell of Lydiard Street North Ballarat in the State of Victoria Married Woman make oath and say:-

1.        That I am the above named Petitioner. 

2.        That I was on the 11th day of September 1912 lawfully married by the Reverend Thomas Alday at Hamilton in the said state to William John James Rundell of Gringe in the said state Laborer according to the rites of the Methodist church. 

3.        That the Respondent has without just cause or excuse wilfully deserted me and without any such cause or excuse left me continuously so deserted during three years or upwards. 

4.        That I am now aged 50 years and was born at Condah near Hamilton in the State of Victoria and am domiciled in the said State. Before marriage I was a spinster and was employed in home duties and since marriage have been employed in home duties and later as a dressmaker and caretaker. 

5.        The Respondent is now aged about 52 years and was born at Condah aforesaid. Before marriage he was a bachelor and was employed as a laborer and since marriage has continued to be so employed. 

6.        That the only living issue of the marriage is a female Evelyn Muriel Daphne Bernette  Rundell born at Bacchus Marsh in the said state aged 26 years and a male Ernest William Rundell born at Coleraine in the said State aged 23 and a half years. 

7.        Immediately after the said marriage Respondent and I lived and co-habited together at Bacchus Marsh in the said State for about 12 months when the Respondent lost his employment and we returned to my parents’ home at Coleraine where we lived and co-habited together for a period of about 2 years. During this period Respondent was in irregular employment. In or about the month of September 1915 my father purchased for me a small farm at Coleraine and the Respondent and I lived and co-habited there for a period of about 5 years until the Month of September 1920. I had then to sell the farm to meet debts owing and Respondent and I then moved to Coleraine where we rented different houses and resided for a period of about 4 years until about the Month of September 1924. During this time owing to the fact that he could not obtain sufficient work to keep us I obtained employment as a dressmaker to assist keep the family including my two children. My Husband continued to be in casual employment only and after continuing as a dressmaker for 9 months I took a boarding house in Coleraine for a period of about 12 months. During this time Respondent received several positions on Stations in the vicinity of Coleraine and used to visit me only in the week ends. From about the month of April 1927 respondent began to be less frequent in his visits and when he did come to see me there were arguments about money matters. The boarding house was not a success and I had difficulty in paying my way as Respondent contributed little to my support. Respondent stated on numerous occasions that he was not prepared to keep me and the best thing I could do would be to go out on my own and keep myself and he would be prepared to keep our son. My daughter who had been residing with me obtained employment as a school teacher. I then took a room and kept myself by going out working. In or about the month of February 1932 Respondent visited my residence in Coleraine and informed me that he was not going to contribute to my support nor would he live with me again. A week or so afterwards I went out to the place where he was working at McLeod’s at Gringe aforesaid and asked him whether he intended to make a home for me. He informed me that I would have to look after myself and he was not going to keep me nor would he or could he make a home for me. 

8.        I stayed in Coleraine for a few weeks after this but did not see the Respondent nor have I heard from him since. I then came to Ballarat and obtained casual employment ever since. 

9.        That cohabitation between Respondent and me ceased about the month of April 1927. 

10.        Save as is hereinbefore mentioned there have been no separations between Respondent and me and no separation agreement has been executed between us. 

11.        That I distinctly and unequivocally deny all collusion or connivance past or present direct or indirect with the Respondent or any person liable to be made Respondent. 

12.        That I have not sooner commenced proceedings for divorce as I have not had the means to do so.