Shiels Family

Shiels Histories - The Early Days

Our research traces the Shiels family back to Scotland and Ireland about 1690 when Micheal Shiels travelled from Kildare, Ireland to Biggar, Scotland.

We have traced the generations down from Micheal to Dan to James then to Robert.

Follow this link for details on the Early Days.

Robert and his wife Annie Dickson had 7 children. Thomas was the oldest son and his information is included below. Details on Allison, Isabella, Jane, Robert, Helen & George is listed separately under other branches.

Thomas Shiels (1795-1839) & Barbara Jean Cranston

Thomas Shiels was born Sept 27, 1795 in Traquair, Peebles, Lanarkshire. He was the 2nd child of Robert Shiels & Annie Dickson.

He loved horses and got a job in a stable for the 4th Duke of Buccleuch. He advanced quickly and became head man with good wages. Thomas fell in love with the governess of the Duke’s two little girls, Barbara Jean Cranston. Barbara Jean was born Jan 1, 1792 in Culter Parish.

On Apr 5, 1817, Thomas Shiels & Barbara Jean Cranston were married in Peebles, Scotland.

Thomas was a very good sport. He liked good company and was a great hand with the fiddle. He was a kind-hearted soul and “his own worst enemy”. He went on to become game keeper for the Duke and was an expert with a gun. He was shot by a poacher and was badly wounded, from which he never completely recovered.

Thomas died in Mar 1839 and the Duke erected a marble slab at the head of his grave which read “Here lies a Gallant and true Scotsman”.

Barbara Jean raised her children on her own after Thomas died. The 5th Duke of Buccleuch built a school in the Village of Biggar at the end of what is now Manse Road and Goldscaur Row. He hired Barbara Jean and paid her a living wage to teach the village children. The school was known as the Duke of Buccleuch School and was built in the 1840’s. It closed in 1976 and became the Wanlockhead Community Centre.

Barbara continued to teach until she was eighty-one years old and was still quite spry. Barbara Jean lived to be ninety years old and died on Nov 24, 1882 in Culter Parish.

Thomas and Barbara Jean had a large family with 8 children, 6 sons and 2 daughters. 

Thomas & Barbara's Children

A short summary is included for each of Thomas & Barbara’s children. A pdf file is included below each of the children where more info is available.

Living descendants are excluded from these files for privacy issues. The information here and details on living descendants are included in the Shiels Family History Book advertised on the previous page.

Robert 1817-1894: Robert married Janet Scott in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Although some researchers show Robert passed away in the USA, this was proven to be Robert Hunter Shiels. At this time, we are not sure if Robert & Janet remained in Scotland or immigrated to North America.

Thomas 1819-1897: Thomas married Elizabeth Prentice and raised a large family. They immigrated to Greenup, Illinois in the USA in the early 1850’s. The family spread out across Canada and the USA.

Jean 1821-1907: Jean married James Anderson and immigrated to Wingham, Ontario, Canada in 1853. They raised 8 children.

James 1824-1827: James passed away when he was only 3 years old.

John 1826-1908: John immigrated to Canada in 1850 and settled in Grey County, Ontario. He married Janet McNair and they had a large family. Only the oldest & youngest child married and descendants are spread across western Canada.

George 1828-1906: George immigrated to Canada in 1850 and settled in Grey County, Ontario. He married Susannah Wortley and they had a large family. The family spread out across Canada and the USA.

Anne 1831-1877: Anne married Robert Walkinshaw and they had 4 children in Scotland.

William 1833-1911: William married Agnes Brown in Scotland and they had 9 children. Most of his descendants remained in Scotland however some children & grandchildren immigrated to Canada, Australia & New Zealand.