Thomas Martin and Joan Whitefield married in Milverton, Somerset, in 1725, and set up home in Minehead.
The tree traces five generation of their descendants, through their move to Gloucester.
Sidney in World War 1
Sidney was a private in the 1st Royal Marine Light Infantry. The RMLI were the naval gunners and infantry soldiers of the Royal Naval Division. And the RND was regarded as an elite unite, tasked with ‘the hardest nuts to crack’ on the battlefield.
Sidney found himself in one of the worst battles of World War I.
Sidney Herbert Martin
Married at St Luke’s church in 1907, Sidney had two children with his wife Rose Beatrice, Sadly, less than two years later, Rose died of infection following childbirth and Sidney was left with a baby and an eighteen month old to care for.
The Two Georges
When his parents moved to Minehead, George went with them. He became a policeman in Gloucestershire’s Constabulary but suffered ill health and died young, leaving a son less than 18 months old.
From sad beginnings, George Cowley Martin built a stable life for himself, his wife and twelve children in Gloucester.
From Minehead to Gloucester and a position of trust
The Martin family were a family of mariners. Peter Martin was also a customs officer, reliant on shipping coming into harbour.
But Minehead was a port of fluctuating fortunes and when the port was going downhill, Peter had a decision to make.
The Early Years
People start researching their family history for a number of reasons including wanting to discover where their family originated from or to find out about a particular member of their family.
Vince had always wanted to know about his grandfather, about whom his father could tell him almost nothing.