Jean Max Ludolff

The 'Trove' digital newspapers (SMH article 3rd June, 1892) said Jean Max Ludolff, of Kogarah, dairyman, had signed a certificate that he was married to Alice Pearce (nee Sullivan). He had been living with her for about 6 or 7 years and 3 children were registered with her as the parent. She had been trying to obtain a divorce from her former husband James Alexander Pearce, but the new Divorce Act had not yet been passed by the Queen. I have confirmed this with Trove articles showing she applied for a divorce in 1892 on the grounds of 'desertion for more than 3 years' when the laws changed. The divorce was granted 2nd March, 1893.I'm unsure if they married in 1893 once the divorce was finalised. NSW BDM records showing Max Ludolff born in 1887, Robert in 1888 and Hugo in 1891. He later married Martha Leahy 26th April, 1905. He was 42 at the time and she was aged 39. He listed 3 children on the marriage certificate and she listed 2 living children and 2 deceased. He said he was widowed in 1904 (possibly from the relationship with Alice) and Martha was widowed from her first husband in 1893. Jean listed his parents as Anton Friederick Ludolff and Ida Probst both deceased. Martha listed her parents as Charles Heath and Maria Oxley. Jean Max Ludolff & Martha were married in Richmond, Victoria. Hugo Ludolff born 1891 from the first relationship, later adopted his stepmothers surname when enlisting in WW1 as anyone with German descent was watched and often persecuted and around 7, 000 German-Australians were sent to camps such as Holsworthy, Berrima, Trial Bay etc.until the war ended. I have been told I am the daughter of Hugo Ludolff aka Bert Leahy and I was adopted by another family due to circumstances at the time.