(Dec?) what does this indicate?

[Robert2704]

On a marraige certificate in 1928, both Fathers have (Dec?) after their names. I thought it had meant that they were both deceased at the time, however, one of them seems to have signed as a witness. Any clues as to what this annotation means?

[Wirral]

My guess is that the question mark indicated uncertainty whether the father was dead or not. The bride & groom may well have lost contact, eg moved away from their place of birth.

The witness with the name of the father could be another relative, such as a brother or cousin of the bride/groom.

[busyglen]

I also thought that's what it meant Robert. However, two possiblities:

1. The registrar made an error by putting the `Dec' after both names.
2. The witness was a son with the same name? ie. brother of the bride.

Glenys

[busyglen]

My guess is that the question mark indicated uncertainty whether the father was dead or not. The bride & groom may well have lost contact, eg moved away from their place of birth.

The witness with the name of the father could be another relative, such as a brother or cousin of the bride/groom.

You just beat me to it Wirral.....great minds think alike. ;)

Glenys

[mary elms]

The question mark could be a superscript d - especially if it occurs with both fathers.

I've seen quite a few occasions when it looks just like a question mark because the pen has left the paper at the end of the up stroke and not come down again.

Mary.