Find a Winnipeg Divorce File, 1917-1984

The Archives of Manitoba holds Winnipeg divorce files from 1917 to June 1984. These files contain divorce applications and proceedings filed in the Court of Queen's Bench Divorce Court in Winnipeg, including notices of motion, exhibits, decree nisi and decree absolute. The Archives of Manitoba has created an online index of these files to facilitate access to these records.

Note: from July 1984 on, divorce proceedings in Winnipeg were kept as part of Family files (ATG 0040A). The online Manitoba Court Registry can be used to search for these files. To request access to Family files contact the Manitoba Courts.

Note: divorce records from other regions are mostly found in Regional divorce files (ATG 0059A). The Archives has not created an index for these files. Original index volumes need to be consulted to find file numbers and names in order to request these records. These volumes are in Regional Court of Queen’s Bench Indexes (J 0288). Other regional divorce records may be found in Regional civil files (ATG 0062A) or Family files (ATG 0040A).

To find a Winnipeg divorce file from 1917 to 1984 at the Archives of Manitoba, follow these three steps:

  1. Search the index.
  2. Find the location code.
  3. Request to view the original record.

Step 1: Search the index

Search the Winnipeg divorce index, 1917-1984 for the name of the individual(s).

  • Search different spellings if you aren’t finding someone.
  • Check the year to ensure that you have found the right divorce.
  • Note the file number, names and year. 
  • Go to Step 2 to find the location code.

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Step 2. Find the location code

  • Go to the Winnipeg divorce files series description:
  • Scroll to the bottom of the database record to the list of accession numbers.
    • Click on the accession number for which the dates correspond to the date of the divorce file.
    • Scroll through the list to find the range of file numbers in which the divorce file number fits.
    • Click on the file range. This is the listing record for the box in which the file is located. Note the following information to order the file: file number and name(s), year, schedule number, series name, accession number, location code.
  • Go to Step 3, Request to view the original record.

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Step 3: Request to view the original record

The original records can be viewed in the Archives Research Room. You will need to request the record(s) from the archival vaults.

  • These records are stored at our offsite storage facility and have a two-day retrieval time. Read more about ordering records in advance.
  • Winnipeg divorce files are listed at the box level, with a file number range, in Keystone. Please identify the specific file number and names of parties in the item description field on the retrieval request slip, rather than the file number range of the box.

If you found multiple names with the same file number, you only need to complete one retrieval request slip. Put all names in the item description field on the retrieval request slip.

If you found multiple file numbers for the same name(s), complete one retrieval request slip for each file number.

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