Dennis was the son of Feargus (also Fergus) and Rebecca Morland nee Wilson.
Feargus was born in Hinckley, Leicestershire, on 31 July 1847 (baptised 8 August 1847, Hinckley St Mary), the son of Liskum and Lucy Morland. He married Rebecca Wilson in 1867 (A/M/J Nottingham) and they had three children of whom only two survived: Mary Ann b. 1873 (A/M/J Radford) and Dennis b. 12 April 1881 (A/M/J Nottingham).
In 1891 Feargus (43), a cab driver, and Rebecca (44) were living at 10 Cross Cut, Park Hill, Lenton, with their two children, Mary Ann (17) and Dennis (9).
Feargus died in 1898 (J/A/S Nottingham) aged 51 and in 1901 his widow was living at 10 Holden Street, Radford. Rebecca was working as a machinist. Also in the home on the night of the census were Mary (27), a machinist, Dennis (19) a bobbin carriage maker and a boarder, Reuben Wright (25), who was an engine driver (stationary).
Dennis married Eliza Annie Pride (birth registered 1880 J/F/M Radford) the same year, 1901 (J/A/S Nottingham). By 1911 they had had three children of whom two survived: Doris b. 1902 (J/A/S Nottingham) and Dennis b. 1909 (O/N/D Nottingham). A third child was born later, possibly after they emigrated to Canada.
Dennis' mother, Rebecca, died in 1902 (J/F/M Nottingham) at the age of 57.
In 1911 Dennis (28), a bobbin carriage finisher, and Eliza Annie (31), a plain net mender, were living at 19 Byfield Street, Radford, Nottingham, with their two children, Doris (8) and Dennis (1).
The family emigrated to Canada and were living at 2 Creemore Avenue, Toronto, when Dennis died in 1918.
Dennis' sister, Mary Ann, probably married William Francis. In 1911 she and William (36), a nightwatchman for a lace manufacturer, were living at 15 Kenilworth Terrace, Portland Road, with their five year old daughter, Elsie. Mary was working as a sewing machinist (hosiery). Also in the household was a female boarder. Mary died in 1952 (September Nottingham) aged 79.