Genealogy Chat

Parents in certain eras were not witnesses to the marriage - more often siblings or friends (of full age) were, but it was usual for a father to be shown as deceased if that were the case.

I have learned never to believe info on any certificate unless confirmed elsewhere. It all depends on who gave the info and which questions were asked! My great great grandmother Mary Jackson died in 1867. Her death cert describes her as 'widow of Samuel', but her husband Samuel was still alive! He died in 1887---I have his death cert too.

hi Hilary I got a marriage cert months ago and it said father was deceased but to my surprise I found him on the 1901 census when I was looking for someone else in the family. So it doesnt necessarily mean they are dead. They could have had an argument or something. Sylvia

On the 2nd marriage cert for my 3x gt grandmother it said she was a widow. I then spent months looking for the death of my 3x gt grandfather....I eventually found him, alive and well and remarried, in another part of the country, with another new family!! When I received his 2nd marriage cert it stated that he was a widower...!! I have often wondered if my 2x gt grandmother ever knew she had half siblings! Linda

The 1880 marriage certificate for my gt grandfather shows the name of his father, no 'deceased' notation ..... but as far as I can determine Benjamin died between 1841 and 1851! His wife certainly describes herself as 'widow' on the 1851.

Hia ive just bought a load off cert marriage ones and most of the mothers and fathers it said they were deceased some of them only being aged 37 etc.Avril

Thanks for your replies. My 3 x great grandfather was John Cox, he was entered on his daughter Eleanors birth certificate , (although he did not register the birth) occupation- footman. He is also entered on Eleanors marriage certificate, occupation- butler. I have not been able to find him in any census, although I found the rest of the family, so think that he may have died earlier. I did consider that due to his occupation, he had a living-in job, which is why I can't find him. Anyway, thanks for ideas, Hilary

ooops,sorry Hilary, looks like I've just been lucky with mine then!!

It's not very reliable though. The father will not necessarily be shown as deceased even if he is. Or he may be shown as deceased while he's really alive, though this is rarer.

Not necessarily so .If the question was asked then it should. My grandad was married twice, on his first marriage cert of 1898 it doesnt say father deceased,however when he married my Nan in 1909 That cert does say deceased so logically I looked ,& wasted money ! for a death cert between those dates, Found much later on he died in 1884 aged 37.

Hilary Afraid it does not always state deceased for father. It also may depend on the question being asked. Sue

In my experience it does state that the parent is deceased, if this is the case... Karen x

I am trying to trace my 3 x great grandfather, his name appears on his daughters marriage cert, but he was not a witness and I wonder if he was still alive ?