Does anyone know how couples handled a divorce or separation in Virginia in 
the 1880's and 1890's.  I am doing genealogy research on a couple living in 
Fairfax Co.  In the 1880 census they are not living together.  I found 
documents at the courthouse that indicate they had problems in the 1870's.  
Sometime during 1880/1890 the husband moved to Alexandria, VA.  The wife 
moved to Washington, DC and was living with two daughters and they started 
a dressmaking business.  The wife is listed in the Boyds DC Directory as being 
a "widow", but her husband is alive and living in Alexandria and did not die until 
1902.  I could find no divorce records in Fairfax Co.  The only thing I can think 
of is that the wife and 2 daughters wanted to make a good impression with 
their dressmaking and she said she was a widow.  Maybe they didn't ever get 
a divorce or it could be the records are not available at the courthouse.  Any 
thoughts?  

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