My great grandfather, William CANNON, married my great grandmother, Mary Ann BUTLER (nee DRAKE). On their marriage certificate they are listed as widower and widow respectively. In the 1891 census members of multiple families were living in Yorkshire, with Mary Ann's father, John DRAKE and his second wife and son. The families included Mary DRAKE BUTLER CANNON and her son George BUTLER from her first marriage to John BUTLER (deceased). The same household included William CANNON (son-in-law) and his three children: Elizabeth CANNON, Harriet CANNON, and Walter CANNON. William listed his birthplace as Middlesex, London. His three children were listed as born in Bulwell in Nottinghamshire. Mary Ann was working in Bulwell which is where she must have met William CANNON. Mary Ann and William had two children: Agnes Hannah CANNON and Joseph CANNON (my grandfather). However, in the 1901 Census Mary Ann CANNON had reverted to her first husband's name; i.e., Mary Ann BUTLER. Additionally, Agnes Hannah CANNON was listed as Agnes Hannah BUTLER and Joseph CANNON was listed as Joseph BUTLER. There was something about William CANNON, Joseph's father, that was extremely embarrassing and painful for my grandfather. The family only learned of Joseph's real father by accident when a relative came across related documents. My grandfather was very agitated and upset - so my relative didn't ask for any explanation. Mary Ann later married a third time to William HUDDART and that, as far as I knew, was my grandfather's surname. It is only since I started searching for my ancestors that I learned that CANNON was my grandfather's birth name. In the 1901 census I cannot find any trace of William CANNON or his three children. Additionally I can find no birth records for his children: Elizabeth born 1880 in Bulwell; Harriet born in 1885 in Bulwell, and Walter, born 1887 in Bulwell. The dates and place of birth were provided in the 1891 census. I've written before concerning my great grandfather, William CANNON. I've also received some theories and responses but I haven't been able to support these theories with documentation. Although it seems silly now, I remember as a child hearing some mention of Joseph as a Catholic (heaven forfend!!!) No offense intended, I am married to a Catholic and my children were raised as Catholics. My question is: If William CANNON and his first wife/partner were Catholic would their children's birth records be maintained by a Catholic church? And how is it possible that BMD has no record of these children? I would fire my cannon if possible............ Valerie