My great-great grandfather Emanual Joseph Taylor was born 1879 in Tynemouth and died at the Somme 1916. A lot is known about his military record, his wife Mary Ellen Atkinson, their 9 children and the Atkinson branch. A quick search and you find a marriage in 1901, then the family in 1901 and 1911 in Morpeth. Before that though I am struggling.
I thought his name would help, in that it is rather unique (to me anyway). He was known as 'Manny', and his name is spelt Emanuel or Emmanuel in different records. I have a birth in 1879 which matches, but I cannot find him in 1881 and 1891.
Of his parents, I believe his father to be of the same name (who I refer to as Emmanuel Senior), and mum to be Sarah Jane Wales, though looking at my notes, I cannot recall how I came to this conclusion. From there, I have pre 1881 record matches, but again nothing when they're married and with children in 1881 and 1891.
Pre 1881 I believe Emmanuel seniors parents to be James Clark (Scotland) and Margeret Appleby (Tynemouth). Emmanuel Snr is present in 1861 with family, 1871 with just widowed Margeret as a shoemaker is North Shields. Again nothing in 1881 for now married Emmanuel Snr or child Emmanuel Jnr, but his mum Margaret is with his now married brother Richard.
This is where I think I'm wandering too far. There is a possible marriage 2 years previous for Emmanuel Snr to an Emily Wagner, though of no relevence yet. I also found an interesting article in 1883 stating an Emmanuel Joseph Taylor (shoemaker from North Shields) was sentenced to 3 months for shop theft, which would be 5 years after he married Sarah. This led me to other crinimal records from around the country but again I'm wandering and making too many assumptions.
So my question, are there any other ways I can find Emmanuel Jnr or Snr in the 1881 and 1891 census records? Is there anything I have missed or sins I have broken! Also, I don't believe there are any gaps in the records for the areas I am searching.