Details of Louisa's origins have been difficult to confirm. To date, she has only been identified on the 1861 census and at this time, her birthplace was given as Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. She was married at least twice, and on each occasion gave conflicting surnames for her father, raising the question as to her name when she was born. Her father's name is given as John STONE at her marriage to Paul PHIBBS in 1852, while her father's name is given as John PARKES at her marriage to Thomas MARTIN in 1862. Did her father die and her mother re-marry ?

At the time of their marriage at St. Phillips Church, Birmingham, in 1852, both Paul and Louisa were residing at Little Charles St, Birmingham. He was described as a bachelor and she a spinster. Both Paul and Louisa signed with their marks. The witnesses to their marriage were Mary and Charles MILLER. ³

At the time of the 1861 Census Louisa and Paul were residing at the Back of 158 Ledsam St, Birmingham. Paul was aged 36 years and was a Tube Maker, born Kinver, Staffordshire. Louisa, his wife, was 31 years old and was born Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. Their four children included Mary A, aged 11 years, also born in Wolverhampton; William, a son, aged 2 years, born Birmingham; another daughter, Ann, aged 5 years, and baby Edward who was just 5 weeks old. The younger three children were all born in Birmingham, Warwickshire.

It is deduced that Mary A. was infact an illegitimate child born prior to Louisa and Paul's marriage and this is further substantiated as she was also born in Wolverhampton. Unfortunately, Louisa has not yet been identified on the 1851 Census, which would further support this.

Louisa and Paul had the following children:

When Louisa and Thomas married, she was described as a widow and Thomas a widower. The witnesses to their marriage were Joseph and Jane CLAYTON. They had the following children:

In 1867, Louisa's second husband, Thomas also died. While his death certificate hasn't been purchased, it has been noted during the second quarter of 1867 in Birmingham. It would seem that Louisa made a decision around this time to baptise their children. This would appear to include her children to Paul and Thomas, and also children of Thomas and his previous wife, Anne. Research undertaken by Mrs. Joan Edge revealed the following baptisms:

• Anne born 9^th Aug 1857 daughter of Thomas and Anne Martin, Stour Street, Tubemaker (deceased)
• William born 13^th May 1858 son of Paul and Louisa Phibbs, Ledsam Street, Tubemaker (deceased)
• James born 18^th March 1865 son of Thomas and Louisa Martin, Stour Street, Tubemaker (deceased)
• Jane daughter of Thomas and Louisa Martin, Stour Street, Tubemaker (deceased)

What happened to Louisa and Paul's children, Mary A born c. 1850 in Wolverhamton, Ann born c. 1856 in Birmingham and Edward born c.1861 in Birmingham.

Mary A's age on the census that she was infact born 2 years prior to their marriage.

Is it possible that Ann born in 1856 is the same Anne who was baptised as the child of Thomas and Anne MARTIN in 1867 ? Or did they both have daughters named Ann and Louisa and Paul's daughter died ? There is an entry on the St. Catherine's House Indexes for an Ann PHIBBS born Birmingham 1856 1st Q. 6d.27.

The 1871 Census has not been consulted as yet.

Several Louisa MARTIN's have been located on the 1881 Census Index for Warwickshire, however the only one with an age likely to match is one aged 56 years who was residing at 2 Back of 237 King Edward St, Birmingham as housekeeper to William Dawson. This Louisa was however unmarried and born in Birmingham, whereas earlier Census (1861) indicated Louisa was born in Wolverhampton.

Mary Ann has been identified on the 1861 Census in the home of her parents, Paul and Louisa Phibbs, however no further record has been found.

It is believed the record of a birth on the St. Catherine's Index 1856 1st Quarter Birmingham 6d 27 relates to Ann. She was recorded on the 1861 Census with her parents however, there is no further record of her.

William appeared on the 1861 Census at No 6 Back of 158 Ledsam St, Birmingham with his parents, aged 2 years.

William, his wife, Clara and their daughter, Florence Louisa have been identified on the 1881 Census Index residing at 9 Ct 5 House New Summer St, Birmingham. William was aged 22 years, his occupation listed as Pearl Ivory And Tortoise Shell Turner. He and all his family were born in Birmingham. Clara was aged 25 years and their daughter Florence aged 1 year.

Also listed at the same address, as a lodger, was Ann Williams an unmarried 28 year old and her 3 children, Harry aged 12, Rose aged 9 and Gertrude aged 3. It is possible that Ann is a sister or sister-in-law of Clara's.

Family believed that William died when Clara was about 2 yrs of age. His death has since been found on the St. Catherine's House Indexes in 2nd Qtr of 1894, in the district of Aston, Vol. 6d, page 184. Clara would have been 5 years old at this time.

His death certificate has not yet been purchased.

Clara and William were married in the Parish Church of St. John, Ladywood in 1879. Both were over 21 years of age. At the time, William's father, Paul was described as a Tube Maker, and Clara's father, Henry, as Shoemaker. The witnesses to their marriage were John Gilbert and Mary Sharratt. Both William and John signed the register whilst Clara and Mary both signed with their marks. ³

Clara was the informant at the registration of her daughter Clara's birth in 1889 and her son, Stephen's in 1892. On both occasions she signed only with her mark.

Although not noted as deceased at the time of her daughter's marriage, it would seem likely that she is the one noted on the St. Catherine's House Death Indexes for a Clara PHIBBS aged 55 yrs at Aston in 1912 3rd Q. 6d.221.

William and Clara had the following children:

Edward has been noted on the 1861 Census with his parents, however no further record has been found.

To date, the only record of James is that of his baptism in 1867.

To date, the only record of Jane is her baptism. As her birthdate was not recorded, it is believed she was only an infant at the time.