From 1840 to 1968, many divorces in Canada were granted by private acts of the Parliament of Canada. Before 1867, only five divorce acts were passed and published either in the Statutes of the Province of Canada or in the Journals of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada.
From 1867 to 1968, in some provinces a person wishing to obtain a divorce was first required to place a notice of intent to petition the government for an Act of Divorce in the Canada Gazette and in two newspapers in the district or county where the petitioner resided. It was to appear for a six-month period.
The petition would contain details such as the date and place of the marriage, and events surrounding the demise of the marriage. In the case of adultery or bigamy, a co-respondent was often named. If the petition was allowed, Parliament would pass an Act of Divorce nullifying the marriage.
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Howard Evans Gillespie, spouse, petitioned for divorce in 1949 by Virginia Theresa Scott
Margaret Isobel Gillespie petitioned for divorce from Kenneth Reading MacKenzie 1956.
Sadie Gillespie petitioned for divorce from Beecher Dennis 1925.
Wallace Evered Gillespie petitioned for divorce from Caroline Stubbs 1929
Source: Library & Archives Canada.
Record Count: 4
