funny frank godfrey musical hall artiste

[paston]

"In John Turners VICTORIAN ARENA, it lists Funny Frank. Clown. Born 1863, at Lees, Oldham. Real name Francis Robert Godfrey. Entered the ring at a very early age, first in a double act with his brother Harry.Soon became known as clown and auguste, later as a great vaulter. A famous trick was to vault over the backs of five elephants and a pyramid of men. An excellent rider, his comedy equestrian act "Madame Spangaletti, was well-known in England and the continent. Married in 1882 to Nora Paston, a famous trick act rider, who was then known on the ring as Nora Godfrey. In 1894 went to South Africa , taking their two children, Arthur and Lillie, remaining there for seven years. Part of the time he had his own circus in South Africa. Returned to England with Frank E. Fillis's show. Died on 2nd March 1932, at Mitcham, Surrey. Son Arthur Godfrey and daughters Mrs. Lillie Palmer and Mrs. Nora Fidler. His sister was Mrs. Humel, nee Florence Godfrey. Buried in Mitcham Cemetery, 5th March."
http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/topics.occupations.circus/827.2/mb.ashx

Frank Robert Godfrey married Mary Nicholls in Huddersfield 1883, Mary died in 1910 and in the 1911 census reads- Francis Godfrey 45 music hall artiste - Nora Godfrey 42 (Paston) - Nora F Godfrey 9 born 17 September 1902 Lambeth holy trinity mother Mary Godfrey - Arthur henry Godfrey 24 born Geneva, Switzerland music hall artiste. b 1887 british subject by parentage.

[ShaunJ]

Frank Robert Godfrey married Mary Nicholls in Huddersfield 1883, Mary died in 1910 and in the 1911 census reads- Francis Godfrey 45 music hall artiste - Nora Godfrey 42 (Paston) - Nora F Godfrey 9 born 17 September 1902 Lambeth holy trinity mother Mary Godfrey - Arthur henry Godfrey 24 born Geneva, Switzerland music hall artiste. b 1887 british subject by parentage.

It's all more complicated than I thought! Questions:

- Who really was the mother of Lillie and Arthur and Nora F?  (do you have the birth certificates?)
- Why does the 1911 census form (signed by Frank) say that Frank and Nora have been married for 28 years and have had 3 children?
- Are you sure that the Mary Godfrey who died in 1910 was Frank's wife? My first thought was that "Mary Nicholls" was possibly an alias used by Nora...who had run away from home in December 1882.

[paston]

mary nicholls could well have been an alias nora was born in 1867 and would have been 16yrs old.

[paston]

james paston d 1901  aged 55 - Norfolk.  Adelaide paston d 1898  aged  46 - warrington.
Adelaide was from the quagliani family famous equestrians from Italy.