On two marriage certificates relating to one of my ancestors (1865 and 1875), the father's name and occupation is given,although I am very sure that he had already died. Can anyone tell me whether it was a common occurrence not to state that the father was deceased, and if there a reason for this.

This could happen. I know one of my ancestors shows the father as living, when he is actually deceased. Probably they were asked what the father's name was, and they never mentioned that he was deceased.

Thanks for your reply. This has put my mind at rest as I was beginning to think that I have been pursuing the wrong family tree!