Hayley,
According to another public Family Tree on Ancestry, Ralph was using the name KIRSOP about the time he married Jessie Evelyn Everett. This will be why you could never find any trace of him.

He was born 4th Nov 1877 at Gateshead, Yorkshire, but wasn't christened until 4 Mar 1891 at Linthorpe, Yorkshire.
His parents were William Kirsop and Mary Ann.

On the 1881 census Ralph is at 8 Lambton Terrace, Durham...as follows...
William Kirsop, aged 51. B 1830 Swalwell, Durham.
He is an Anchor Smith.
Mary A Kirsop, aged 36, born 1845 Leeds, Yorkshire.
Catherine Kirsop, aged 10, born 1871 Gateshead, Durham
Ralph Kirsop, aged 2, born 1879 Gateshead, Durham

On the 1891 census, Ralph Kirsop is at Linthorpe - Middlesborough Union Workhouse. He is an Orphan Inmate, aged 13, born Gateshead, Yorkshire.

Brian