Hi Susan
Don't know if this will help much but there is an 1871 entry which looks like your man.
RG10/5266 Folio 33 Page 3 - Cains Bldgs, Millom, Cumberland
Thomas Marshall Head b 1844 Fermmnon? Ireland, ? Mariner
Anne Marshall wife b1846 Atherstone Lancs
It's a very faint copy but if this is yours maybe a marriage cert would give his fathers name.
Hope this helps.
Sheila