1864 Father's name, entry on Marriage certificate

[flintlockandsteel]

I think this is throwing me off track.
It appears his actual father may have died in 1854 (if research is correct). So is the name simply there to say what he was called and completed by a registrar accordingly?
My thanks

[StefanD99]

Hi,
Yes, that's right, I don't believe it implies they were present at the wedding. I can't recall finding an entry indicating the father was deceased on any of my ancestors marriage records, despite a good number of them being so.
Stefan

[flintlockandsteel]

Thank you Stephan that simplifies things and almost confirms the William I found in the 1840's may be the correct one.
I also note from my research (of similar / partly linked family trees to my own) that many accept the suggestions the algorithms throw up and then head off in totally the wrong direction. I do try check any new links I find 3 or 4 times.
There will be more questions to follow as I haven't  done any research for 15 years.
Thank you

[CaroleW]

Welcome to Rootschat

A lot depends how the question was asked by the person officiating (eg)

What is your fathers name  or  what is your fathers name & is he still living. 

The living/dead was mostly either volunteered info or in cases were the person was under 21 and parental permission was needed

It is not unusual to find a deceased father seemingly alive on a marriage cert. 

[phil57]

I agree with CaroleW. I don't think the minister or registrar would normally ask if a father was deceased, but would note that fact if it was volunteered. I have a few instances in my ancestry of brides and grooms making up fathers' names (not both on the same entry, but often one or the other). In my grandfather's case, he didn't know who his father was, as he had been orphaned at a very early age and brought up by the local authority, but I suspect he didn't want to have "unknown" appear on the certificate.

In a couple of other cases, it appears to have been a deceit perpetrated when committing bigamy.

In general terms, whilst images and other copies of original documents are the nearest we can get to what was recorded at the time, it doesn't necessarily follow that what was recorded is true. We need to use the information in conjunction with other records that may agree or disagree in certain particulars, to assess the facts.

[flintlockandsteel]

Thank you all - I've also noted that if an individual has several Christian names that can vary over the years.
I currently have a bit of a genealogical knot pre 1851. Apparently related individuals (probably cousins) but having no discoverable link thus far.
Where best to post that?

[CaroleW]

Usually best on the board for the County in which you know they were born or lived