Jean Shiels was born in 1821 and was the third of eight children born to Thomas Shiels and Barbara Jean Cranston. She was a sixth generation descendant of Micheal Shiels. 

The following is Jean’s lineage.

• G1: Micheal Shiels 1671 & Bessie Brown
• G2: Daniel Shiels 1719 & Jessie Scott
• G3: James Shiels 1750 & Janet Younger
• G4: Robert Shiels 1769-1845 & Annie Dickson
• G5: Thomas Shiels 1795-1839 & Barbara Jean Cranston
• G6: Jean Shiels 1821-1907 & James Anderson
  • G7: James Anderson 1848-1914 & Mary Isabella Hardy
  • G7: Barbara Anderson 1849-1892
  • G7: Helen Anderson 1852-1925 & Walter Richardson
  • G7: Thomas Anderson 1854-1939 & Kate Munn
  • G7: Jane Anderson 1857-1920 & John Raby
  • G7: Robert Anderson 1861-1949
  • G7: Mary Anderson 1867-1950 & Robert Ballantyne

G6: Jean Shiels 1821-1907 & James Anderson

Jean Shiels was the third child of Thomas Shiels and Barbara Jean Cranston. She was born July 23, 1821 at East Mains, Coulter, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She was very good-looking and a very smart girl. She received a minimum education in the school on the Duke of Buccleuch’s estate and at a young age she went to work on a dairy farm owned by the Anderson family.

After a few years there, she married James Anderson, the owner’s son. The young couple stayed on the family farm for several more years, during which time three children were born to them. James was born in 1848, Barbara in 1849 and Ellen (Hellen) in 1852.

The young family sailed for Canada in 1854. They stopped for a short time near Whitby and then came west to what is now Dublin, Ontario. In those days, it was called Irish Town. James and Jean ran a boarding house there for three years and a son Thomas was born there in 1854. When land became available, James and Jean attempted to obtain a homestead in Grey Township across the road from Jeans’ brother John but a claim jumper spoiled their plans.

They were successful in obtaining a 200 acre homestead on the 6th concession of Turnberry Township. James and Jean had three more children there. Jean was born in 1857, Robert in 1860 and Mary in 1867.

Upon the death of James Sr in 1885, the land passed to Jean his widow, and to Jean and John Raky, Mary Anderson, Ellen Richardson (a widow) and an interest to John Shiels (Jane’s brother) and John’s wife Janet.

James died on August 22, 1885, in Wingham, Ontario, at the age of 64. Jean died on May 20, 1907, in Wingham, Ontario, having lived a long life of 85 years. 

G7: James Anderson 1848-1914 & Mary Isabella Hardy

James Anderson was born in Apr 6, 1848 in Aberdeen, Scotland as the oldest child of Jean Shiels and James Anderson.

James Anderson married Mary Isabella Hardy in Wingham, Ontario, on June 29, 1893, when he was 45 years old. They had four children during their marriage, Barbara Ellen Anderson 1894-1982; Margaret Isabella Anderson 1896-1987; Maria Jean Anderson 1898 and Annie Grace Anderson 1900-1986.

James died on June 21, 1914, in Huron, Ontario, at the age of 66. Mary died on March 27, 1941, in Wroxeter, Ontario, at the age of 79.

Click here for more info on James Anderson 1848-1914 & Mary Isabella Hardy

G7: Barbara Anderson 1849-1892

When Barbara Anderson was born on June 4, 1849, in Scotland, her father, James Anderson , was 28, and her mother, Jean Shiels , was 27.

She never married and died on January 5, 1892, in Wingham, Ontario, at the age of 42.

G7: Helen Anderson 1852-1925 & Walter Richardson

Helen Anderson was born on November 22, 1852, in Scotland to Jean Shiels and James Anderson.

She married Walter Richardson in Perth, Ontario, on June 15, 1872, when she was 19 years old. They had seven children in 12 years, Jane Richardson 1872; Annie Richardson 1874-1954; Barbara Richardson 1876-1946; Nellie Richardson 1878-1902; Walter Richardson 1880; Mary Richardson 1883-1966 and James Richardson 1885-1937.

Helen died on September 16, 1925, at the age of 72.

Click here for more info on Helen Anderson 1852-1925 & Walter Richardson

G7: Thomas Anderson 1854-1939 & Kate Munn

Thomas Anderson was born on May 28, 1854, in Wingham, Ontario, to Jean Shiels and James Anderson.

Thomas Anderson married Kate Munn in Morrish, Ontario, on September 6, 1893, when he was 39 years old. They never had children.

Kate passed away on March 7, 1935, in Brussels, Ontario, at the age of 65. They had been married 41 years. Thomas Anderson died on May 4, 1939, in Brussels, Ontario, when he was 84 years old.

G7: Jane Anderson 1857-1920 & John Raby

Jane Anderson was born on September 1, 1857, in Wingham, Ontario, to Jean Shiels and James Anderson.

Jane Anderson married John Raby in Huron, Ontario, on November 10, 1886, when she was 29 years old.

They had nine children in 13 years. The first three children were born in Huron County, Ontario, Canada, Mary Elizabeth Raby born  June 17, 1887; James Raby born August 30, 1888 and William Shiels Raby born October 23, 1889.

Then the family moved to Walkerville, Michigan, USA where six additional children were born, Eva Jane Raby born March 22, 1891; Robert Raby born August 17, 1892; Lottie Raby born March 25, 1894; Cora Raby born September 12, 1896; Maud Raby born February 27, 1898 and Myrtle Elsie Raby born July 12, 1900.

Jane Anderson died on August 8, 1920, in Leavitt, Michigan, USA, when she was 62 years old. We don’t have a date for Walter. 

Click here for more info on Jane Anderson 1857-1920 & John Raby

G7: Robert Anderson 1862-1949

Robert Anderson was born on Aug 22, 1862, in Wingham, Ontario, to Jean Shiels and James Anderson.

He never married and took over the family farm. In the 1901 census, his mother Jane, sister Mary and brother James and James family were living with him on the family farm.

Robert died on April 15, 1949, in his hometown of Wingham, Ontario, at the age of 88.

G7: Mary Anderson 1870-1950 & Robert Ballantyne

Mary Anderson was born in Jun 8, 1870 in Wingham, Ontario, to Jean Shiels and James Anderson.

Mary Anderson married Robert Ballantyne in York, Ontario, on August 18, 1928, when she was 61 years old. Robert passed away on June 13, 1946, in Wingham, Ontario, at the age of 83. They had been married 17 years.

Mary died on January 17, 1950, in Wingham, Ontario, when she was 83 years old.