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This probably won't help you personally, but it makes interesting reading.

http://www.childsupportanalysis.co.uk/information_and_explanation/world/history_uk.htm#references

Thanks for that Andysmum There was no Divorce as they were not Married i'm afraid.
would have been a lead if they were but no.

@ Kay???? I do remember on a couple of occasions there been cheque in the mail for the child maintenance payments. which was probably sent on from whatever court. Was so long ago that couldn't say what was on the cheques but they were not personal cheques so definite from a court i would guess :-S

I am assuming that the reason for maintenance was your parents' divorce. If that is the case, the date is crucial as the law changed in 1969.

Before that, divorce cases were dealt with at the District Registry of The High Court of Justice. The nearest one to Gateshead was at Newcastle, so it might be worth enquiring there.

After 1969 I think they were dealt with at the County Court, but I'm not sure.

Another possibility, particularly if the case was contested, is the local press. If it was reported, it would tell you which court and when.

oh by the way yes that was the court i contacted.
i've also emailed the archives as you suggest

If he didnt live in the area he would have paid into the court local to him and then it would have been transfered to the court for it to be paid out to the person whos name the paying court held.which in this case your mother I presume. she would go to the court to collect it.

thank you most kindly for that, i'll give those leads a try and post back any results
again thankyou for taking the time

This address came up on a search regarding if or when records were destroyed. It might be worth writing to them for guidance

Departmental Records Officer
Records Management Services
Ministry of Justice
1st Floor, 102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ

Was this the Court you've already contacted?

Gateshead Magistrates' Court and Family Court Hearing Centre
Warwick Street
Gateshead
Tyne & Wear
NE8 1DT

[email protected]

The National Archive site says that Tyne and Wear Archives hold the 1971-1992 court registers. Although outside of your parameters, you could ask if they also have copies of the Child Maintenance records, or their understanding of where they'd be.
https://twarchives.org.uk/

hi all,
i've been trying to find information and records of my lineage and bumped into a bit of a wall! has anyone came accross this or have suggestions or even solutions.

my dad paid child support ordered by court till i was 16 however, the case would have been on or after 1968. now i went hunting for the records at what would have been the main court in the are (Gateshead) but they didn't handle cases then, didn't have any records and even worse couldn't tell me who or what court did in those days.

Any help anyone could give me on this historic search would be so gratefully received