The birth of Sam Sanders was registered in June quarter 1866 in Basford district, Nottinghamshire. The mothers maiden name was recorded as Blatherwick.
He was baptised on 3 June 1866 in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire. The son of Mary Ann Sanders, widow.
Samuels mother, Mary Ann Blatherwick had married William Sanders on 22 March 1852 at St Helen's, Burton Joyce, Notts.
In 1861, Mary Ann Sanders is a 27 years old widow, with her children: Joseph W. Sanders aged 7, Henry C. Sanders aged 4, and Harriett Sanders aged 1 year. The family are living with their grandmother Ann Blatherwick at Bulcote, Notts.
Mary Ann Sanders was re-married on 17 November 1867 at Holy Trinity, Bulcote, Notts, to Joseph Stafford.
In the 1871 census, Mary Ann Stafford is 37 years old, with husband Joseph Stafford 44, and children: Samuel and Harriett Stafford, both aged 4, and Mary Stafford aged 6 months. (Samuel is recorded as Stafford, but his surname should be Sanders/Saunders). The family are still living with Mary Ann's 80 years old grandmother Ann Blatherwick at Bulcote, Nottinghamshire.
In 1881, May Ann and Joseph Stafford are with their children: Harriet aged 12, and Mary aged 10. The family are living at Principle Street, Bulcote, Nottinghamshire. (Despite much searching, there is no sign of son Samuel who would be about 14 years old.)
Samuel's brother Joseph William Sanders is living nearbye with his wife and children at Newstead Colliery, Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire.
The 1891 census finds Samuel Sanders aged 24, with his mother Mary Ann and her husband Joseph Stafford and their daughter Mary aged 20, and grandson Henry Sanders aged 12. The family are living at Bulcote, Nottinghamshire.
Samuel Saunders was married on 8 September 1896 to Agnes Judith Smith. The couple were married at St Mary and All Saints, Bingham, Nottinghamshire.
The birth of Agnes Judith Smith was registered in March quarter 1877 in Bingham, Nottinghamshire, and she was baptised on 31 January 1877 in Bingham, daughter of Edmund and Ellen Smith.
Their son Edmund Eric Saunders was baptised on 25 January 1897 at St Paul, Carlton in the Willows, Nottinghamshire. The son of Samuel and Agnes Saunders.
Agatha Saunders was baptised on 22 April 1899 at St Mary and All Saints, Bingham, Nottinghamshire. Daughter of Samuel and Agnes Judith Saunders.
Daughter Dorothy Saunders was baptised on 22 April 1899 at St mary and All Saints, Carlton in the Willows, Nottinghamshire. Daughter of Samuel and Agnes Judith Saunders.
By 1901, Samuel Saunders is aged 34 with wife Agnes 24, and children: Edmund aged 4, Agatha aged 3, and Dorothy aged 2. The family are living at Southcliffe Road, Carlton, Nottinghamshire.
In 1901, Samuel's brother Joseph Saunders is with his wife and children still living at Colliery Cottage 11, Newstead Colliery, Nottinghamshire.
The birth of son Arthur Leslie Saunders was registered in March quarter 1903 in Basford district, Nottinghamshire.
The birth of son Frederick Ivor Saunders was registered in June quarter 1905 in Basford, Nottinghamshire.
The birth of son Raymond Saunders was registered in December quarter 1906 in Basford, Nottinghamshire.
The family appear to have moved to Yorkshire some time after son Raymond was born, as the birth of son Frank Alex Saunders was registered in June quarter 1908 in Doncaster district, Yorkshire.
Samuel Saunders was killed on 31 March 1909, and his death was registered in June quarter 1909 in Doncaster.
By 1911, Samuels widow, Agnes Judith Saunders has returned to Nottinghamshire and is living with her children and with Samuel's brother Joseph William Saunders at 48 Park Lane, Basford, Nottinghamshire. Youngest son Frank Alex Saunders is recorded as 2 years old, born in Goldthorpe, Yorkshire.