Welcome to the Shiels Family History
This website tells the story of the Shiels family, tracing our history from the late 1600s to the present day. It brings together the people, places, photographs and stories that have shaped our family through more than three centuries.
Our Family Story Begins in 1690
Micheal Shiels was born around 1690 in County Kildare, Ireland. As a young man, he travelled to Scotland for the harvest and eventually settled near Coulter. In 1716, he married Elizabeth “Bessie” Broun, beginning the documented Shiels family story that continues through more than three centuries.
Exploring the Generations
Follow the Shiels family through the generations, from our earliest known ancestors in Scotland to the families who eventually made new lives in Canada and beyond.
G1 — Micheal Shiels & Bessie Broun
Born c. 1690 · County Kildare, Ireland → Coulter, Scotland · Married 1716
Micheal came from Ireland to Scotland as a young man and eventually settled near Coulter. His marriage to Bessie Broun in 1716 marks the beginning of our documented Shiels family story.
G2 — Daniel Shiels & Janet Scott
Born c. 1720 · Scotland · Married 1749 · South Leith
Daniel trained as a stone mason and later became an agent for Francis Scott, 2nd Duke of Buccleuch. In 1749, he married Janet “Jessie” Scott in South Leith, continuing the Shiels family line into the next generation.
G3 — James Shiels & Janet Younger
Born 1750 · South Leith, Scotland · Married 1768 · Peebles, Scotland
James Shiels was born in South Leith in 1750. In 1768, he married Janet Younger in Peebles. Their sons Robert and Thomas carried the Shiels family into the next generation.
G4 — Robert Shiels & Annie Dickson
Born 1769 · Skirling, Scotland · Married 1790 · Drumelzier, Scotland
Robert Shiels was born in Skirling in 1769. In 1790, he married Annie Dickson in Drumelzier. They remained in the Coulter area, where Robert worked as a farmer and they raised seven children, continuing the Shiels family into the next generation
G5 — Thomas Shiels & Barbara Cranston
Born 1795 · Traquair, Scotland · Married 1817 · Died 1839 · Coulter, Scotland
Thomas Shiels was born in Traquair in 1795. In 1817, he married Barbara Cranston. They continued the Shiels family line in the Coulter area, where Thomas died in 1839.
G6 — John Shiels & Janet McNair
Born 1826 · Coulter, Scotland · Married 1857 · Died 1908 · Cranbrook, Ontario, Canada
John Shiels was born in Coulter in 1826. He emigrated to Canada and, in 1857, he married Janet McNair. They continued the Shiels family line in the Cranbrook, Ontario area, where John died in 1908.
G7 — Thomas Shiels & Rachel Ann Brigham
Born 1857 · Cranbrook, Ontario, Canada · Married 1883 · Died 1928 · Corning, Saskatchewan, Canada
Thomas Shiels was born in Cranbrook in 1857. In 1883, he married Rachel Ann Brigham. They moved west to Manitoba and then Saskatchewan, continuing the Shiels family line in the Corning area, where Thomas died in 1928.
G8 — John George Shiels & Pearl Gerry
Born 1885 · Brussels, Ontario, Canada · Married 1912 · Died 1975 · Napinka, Manitoba, Canada
John George Shiels was born in Brussels, Ontario, in 1885. He moved west with his parents, first to Manitoba and then to Saskatchewan. In 1912, he married Pearl Gerry. They raised a large family, and after Pearl died, John returned to Manitoba, where he died in 1975.
G9 — George Edwin Shiels & Mary Elizabeth Jones
Born 1922 · Stoughton, Saskatchewan · Married 1945 · Died 1979 · Napinka, Manitoba, Canada
George Edwin Shiels was born in Stoughton, Saskatchewan, in 1922. In 1935, he moved to Manitoba with his father. During the Second World War, he served in the Army, and in 1945, he married Mary Elizabeth Jones in Bridgend, Wales. After the war, they raised a large family in the Napinka area, where George died in 1979.
G10 — Daniel Philip Shiels & Judith Louise Vandaele
Born 1951 · Melita, Manitoba · Married 1973 · Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dan Shiels was born in Melita, Manitoba, in 1951. He grew up in the area and, in 1973, married Judith Louise Vandaele. Together they raised two children and made their home in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The Story Continues
Ten generations separate Micheal Shiels and Bessie Broun from the Shiels family of today. Their story crossed centuries, countries and continents — from Ireland and Scotland to Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This website preserves the people, places, photographs and stories they left behind, so future generations can understand where they came from.
Prefer a printed copy?
The Shiels family history is also available as a paperback book through Amazon, providing a permanent printed record of our family's story for those who prefer a book they can hold, read and pass on to future generations.