Pennsylvania State Archives

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Case files for divorce cases brought before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in the Eastern District. Documents filed may include petitions (libels) for divorce, subpoenas for divorce, interrogatories, depositions, and decrees for divorce. In the divorce process, the original petition was made to the Supreme Court, accusing either the wife or husband of a particular marriage offense, and asking the Court to force his or her appearance before the justices. The Court would then issue a warrant for the appearance of the libellee, and questions would be drawn and statements taken for the libellant and libellee. The Court would then render its decision. Information provided by these papers includes names of the couple; date married; court term and case number; and reason for divorce.

Arranged alphabetically by surname of the couple.

Microfilm roll #s 781-786 and digital surrogate available.

The Pennsylvania State Archives is able to provide access to digital images of this collection through our collaboration with the PA POWER LIBRARY: Pennsylvania Photos and Documents, which is funded by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania under the Pennsylvania Department of Education. See link below.

When quoting, citing, publishing or exhibiting any materials from the State Archives, please specify the following: item, series title, series number, Record or Manuscript Group title, RG or MG number, Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg.