Hi Kevin,
I've just seen your message from December 2012. I haven't touched my family history for a few years and am just getting back into it, having taken early retirement this year. I'm stunned at how much more information is available online now. I've found out a lot more about Mark Pickering in the past twenty-four hours than I did in several years research, but still don't have any evidence to identify his parents. Have you had any joy?
All the best,
Pauline