past debt & present debt

HI! Back when I was in my late teens, early 20's, I accumulated alot of credit card debt.....about $30,000 worth. Basically, I let them all become charge-offs. It has been about 15 years. Being young and dumb, I thought they would just go away through some sort of stature of limitations. Every once in a while I get a letter or a phone call from a collection agency. I lived in Cali until 3 years ago. About 2 years ago, out of the blue I applied for a credit card without a job....just my ebay earnings. Unfortunately I was approved for $6000. Well...being older, but just as dumb, I got more credit cards. I was doing fine paying them off, then ebay went down hill. I keep charging or transferring to pay the minimums. NOW, I have a new debt of $42,000. I am back in over my head.

I have a couple of questions....

how did I go from the first debt with stupid low credit ratings to credit rating in the high 700s where I was able to get the new debt?? Is there really a stature of limitations where after 10 years or so the first debts disappeared?

And I think I need to file for bankruptcy, I can't do it anymore. I am stressed. I am hiding EVERYTHING from my husband. So, can I file without him knowing or effecting his good credit??? I am NOT on the house, car or anything JUST my secret credit cards. We do file taxes as a married couple.

thanks