Thanks for this! I now know that James Wilkins possibly died then between 1891 (last census) and 1902 (when daughter Ethel May) married!
Still, if he was a seaman (ship steward), is there a way to confirm his death for a seaman? If he was lost at sea, was there a waiting period (7 years)?
I also know now that Skelton was around for awhile (on 1901 census, and involved with d Ethel's marriage. Also David Wilkins was witness to the marriage of Sarah Skelton in 1906.
And Arthur was born in 1896
Still, I am confused why we may have two different references to Arthur's birth one as Wilkins and the other as Skelton:
WILKINS, Arthur
Caistor Lincolnshire 1895 Jul-Aug-Sep
Volume No: 7A Page No: 640
SKELTON, Arthur George
Caistor Lincolnshire 1896 Jul-Aug-Sep
Volume No: 7A Page No: 626
FreeBMD has this birth - any use?
Arthur George Skelton
Sep 1896 Caistor 7a 626
(Caistor district covered Great Grimsby until 1897)
I have a feeling we are closing in!
The other remaining mystery is whether there was a Herbert Barker (as stated in a letter by Lucy's daughter Amy to be Arthur's father!).
Do you have parrish records for Grimsby? (is it possible that Arthur is baptized at Old Clee Parish Church Grimsby?)