Aha! Another clue - thanks for that. My ancestor was a mariner.
Jan
this them ?
Baptism: 1 Sep 1805 St Nicholas, Liverpool, Lancashire, England
John Dennis Whitford - son of Dennis Whitford & Mary (formerly Lloyd)
Born: 3 May 1805
Abode: Dock side
Occupation: Mariner
........................................
and the son now having children baptised
Baptism: 22 Jul 1844 St Peter, Liverpool, Lancashire, England
John Whitford - [Child] of John Whitford & Elizabeth
Born: 30 Apr 1844
Abode: Bolton St
Occupation: Mariner