Martin James Lamb was the son of John Lamb, shipwright, and Charlotte. He was born in Hull and baptised on 23 July 1838, at Holy Trinity church, Hull.
Elizabeth Fox was the daughter of Robert Fox, Mariner, and Eliza Shankster. She was baptised on 4 May 1836, also at Holy Trinity.
Both their families were living in an area around Queen's Dock in the 1851 census. Their 1858 marriage certificate gives their address as Vincent Street. The certificate shows that Martin and Elizabeth were married on 17 Oct 1858, in Sculcoates (Hull). Here Elizabeth's father's occupation is the more specific "Master Mariner". Witnesses to the marriage were Rowland Wharf and Harriet Wharf.
I've not been able to trace Martin and Elizabeth on the 1861 census, but the family appears on all the others.
Martin James Lamb - summary of dates, places and occupations
Martin and Elizabeth are living at 2 John's Place in the East Sculcoates district. Martin, 34 years old, is working as "Stoker at Gas works". Alfred, the eldest son, is an "Errand boy". Thirteen years after their marriage they have 5 sons - Alfred (13), Marcus (8), William (6), Walter (3), and Frederick (7 months).
The family are living at 2 Abbey Crescent, West Sculcoates. Martin is 44 years of age, still a "Gas stoker", and Elizabeth is 45. Marcus, now aged 18, is a "Tallow Chandler ". William (16) is also employed, but as what it is difficult to tell as the handwriting is difficult to decipher. Walter and Fred are also still part of the household, joined since the last census by Edgar (8) and Frank (5).
So there are 6 sons living in the household - ranging in age from 18 to 5 years of age.
Alfred R, the eldest, isn't listed here. Through some further searching I've located him in the 1881 census. See separate document on Alfred.
They are still living at 2 Abbey Crescent, West Sculcoates. Martin is 54, a Gas Labourer, and Elizabeth 55. Only 2 of their sons are still living with them - Edgar, 18, a Coach Porter, and Frank, 15, an Errand Boy. The 1891 census gives the number of rooms occupied by each household if less than 5. The family are noted as living in 4 rooms. This is also the case for the household of one of their now-married sons, Alfred, but his residence is a lot more crowded. Marcus, my great, great grandfather, is now married too (see Marcus Lamb and Charlotte Neylon).
Martin James Lamb's death was found in the BMD index. He died in the June quarter of 1897, at the age of 59.
In the 1901 census, as we would expect, Elizabeth is now given as Head of the household, and is registered as a widow. She is aged 65, living, as before, at 2 Abbey Crescent.
Living with her are three of her sons - the youngest two, Edgar and Frank, who are both unmarried - and Marcus, who is now a widower (see Marcus Lamb). Edgar, aged 27, is a Slater's General Labourer. Frank, aged 25, a Builder's General Labourer. Marcus is aged 38, a Gasworks Stoker.
Also in the household are Marcus's children, Elizabeth (17), Charlotte (15) and Martin James (11).
Martin James Lamb - summary of dates, places and occupations