Genealogy Chat

On my great grandparents marriage cert. it states that his father is a farmer, but I think his father died some 20 years prior to the marriage of his son. I have found on some ceets. if a father is dead the word "deceased" is written in the space.

Is this always the case please??

K

no
its not always the case

some put that there father is dead because they dont know who there father is

some just dont put it even if there father is deceased

hope thus helps

Not always the case K depends how the question was asked ie fathers name and occupation? to which an answer could be given factually without adding he is deceased.

Also some fathers names can be made up or be another family member ie grandads name to cover illegitimacy .

I have both scenarios on 3 marriage certs that sent me off a a wild goose chase at the time

Here's an example:

1881 England Census
Civil Parish: Aspull
County/Island: Lancashire
Country: England
Street Address: 9 Heayes Sq
Registration District: Wigan
Sub-registration District: Aspull
ED, institution, or vessel: 1
Piece: 3759 Folio: 14 Page Number: 22

Richard Hill 40
Elizabeth Hill 30
James Hill 39
Richard Hill 18
Alice Hill 10
Robert Hill 7
Mary J. Hill 4
John Hill 2

Now check the 1894 marrs of Robert and Mary Jane - note dates and Richard's status at:
http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Wigan/Aspull/stelizabeth/index.html

I would say father's recorded status and profession are usually correct, but cannot be really be relied upon - profession's can get inflated, e.g., from Agricultural Labourer to Farm Manager, etc.

And I have several (siblings) marriage certs. where they state that their father is 'deceased'.

In fact he was alive and well and living on the same street as most of them, with his new wife and family.

His first wife died leaving him with many children ranging in ages from over 21 to under 1 year. The new wife was the same age as some of the older children and had in fact lived on the same street as the family. His first wife died when youngest was not even 1 year old, and 2nd wife had a baby within 1 year of marriage.

So with marriage certificates I think more than any the 'truth' can be easily distorted.

death certificates can be less than accurate as well!

After all, the only information you can really trust to be correct on a death certificate is the following ..................

date and place of death
cause of death
name and address of doctor and/or coroner
name and address of informant
relationship of informant to deceased


Everything else is hearsay

I am so sorry for the delay in replying to the helpful hints given, but at times I am unable to use the computer for a while.

Thanks again to you all.

Kathlyn