William John Shields (Sheils)-Totally Stuck!

[Quido]

Thank you for taking the time to read this.
We have a lot of missing years for the above Ancestor, whom we know married Letitia Murray(nee Dunn) 12.12.1924. Kilburnie Ayrshire. He was a bachelor aged 55. Occupation Mineral Borer. Mother Jane Sheils -Farmer (Deceased) No father listed. He was born in Newtownlimavady N.Ireland and we think we may have the right birth cert. listing him born 9.10.1868. Dromore Tamlaght. Father Robert Fleming a flint scutcher from Balteagh (a total surprise) Mother Jane Sheils from Dromore. Don't think there was a marriage and Jane Sheils died in Limavady Workhouse. We would love to trace any of this Sheils family. Or know something of this surprise Fleming connection
The family story is that William aged about 14 (abt 1882) was given £5 by a farmer and told to go and make his way in the world, but after that nothing is known of him until 1924. No idea when he arrived in Scotland. And he  changed the spelling of his name when he arrived here. Nothing on census returns or Ancestry's shipping lists. By his marriage  he had purchased 2 properties. One in Rankinston named Scenery Hill (unable to trace it) and one in Hamilton St. Saltcoats, and by 1930 he was in partnership and had started the Clyde Coast Bus Co. So during the 'lost years' he had made a fair amount of money. Would there be a paper trail attached to the profession of Mineral Boring? He could have  been a soldier possibly Boer War and had taken a skill with explosives into private life. But where do we start? There is a William Sheils on the 1891c in barracks in Hampshire. But can't follow it up. We badly need some 'out of box' thinking.      Many Thanks.

[sheenaj]

Hello, This is part of my Paternal line.
This is what I have
William John Shields b-07 Jan 1874 Auchinleck Ayrshire.Parents Father, John Shields 1849 Kilmarnock- 1921 : Mother Mary Jane Hastie 1848-1940 other ch-Jane Hiddlestone 1872-1955:Mary Hamilton 1875-1938: Isabella Hastie 1881-1969.

John Shields parents-William Shield b-1818 Fenwick Ayrshire.Mary Hamilton b-1818 Kilmarnock.Found in 1871,81 &91 censuses.Other ch- Jane b-1845:Agnes b-1852: Thomas b-1854.

Mary Jane Hastie's parents-Peter Hastie b- 01 Nov 1807 Kirkmicheal Dumfries-shire d- 03 Aug 1873 Riccerton Ayrshire.:Janet Hiddlestone.b-1817 Closeburn Dumfries-shire.d- 10 Mar 1899 Sorn Ayrshire.

Back to William John Shields. He married Letitia Dunn [this is where my tree kicks in!] b-14 Mar 1892.Rankinston Ayrshire d-11 Dec 1947 Saltcoats Ayrshire.married Husband 1-20 Oct 1901 Tarbolton Joseph Hale Murrayb-1855 Stoneykirk Wigtownshire  d- 25 Sep 1915 Flanders Field France Pvt-Highland Light inf.She married William J.Shields 07 Nov 1924 Kilbirnie Ayrshire. They had [at least] 1 child William.no BDM noted,no clue to spouse, but he had a child Maureen Letitia Shields -living I visited with she and father in Stevenston 1950's he owned the Greyfriars Hotel/pub.Maureen was in my class at Ardrossan Accademy lost touch with her but did bump into her in Saltcoats 1990's briefly.
Parents of Letitia were Samuel Dunn 1854-1909. and Margaret Johnston  McCreadie 1855-1922.Hope this answers some of your questions.

To my knowledge there is no Irish connections to Shields To Dunns yes
Sheena

[Quido]

Hello Sheena ,
How lovely you hear from you.....Good News and bad news I'm afraid. The Maureen Shields you speak of is my sister-in-law and we were visiting her just two weeks ago, and are in constant touch.
We have almost a full history on the Dunns/Nutts/Thorburns and each of their families with their Irish Roots.
We have long known that Wilam John was illegitimate and born near Limivady N. Ireland. Information given by him to his son and daughter, Bill (sadly died) and Letitia  (still living)  His mother was Jane Sheils (spelt this way) He names his mother on his marriage cert to Letitia in 1924. As you know they had 2 children. William first in 1928. Then Letitia.
Letitia has the papers of her Grandmother's entry in to Limivady workouse where she died in 1850.
We think we have the right birth cert. for William's John which gives his DOB as 1868 Mother Jane Shelis signed x Father Robert Fleming - Lint Scutcher (Flax/Linen) No Marriage.
WJS is a totally intriguing man of mystery. Diappears from Ireland and turns up in Saltcoats with enough money to buy 2 properies and set up a bus company. He was 55 in 1924. Declared occupation - Mineral Borer.
Could you e-mail me at * We have a couple of bits amd pieces that we've discoverd....and I would love to discuss our theories....and you never know you might just have that elusive piece of the jigsaw.
I think when we do find the answer.....it will be totally fascinating.
Warm Regards
Val^(*)

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[pleslie54]

HI, both, I know you posted this many years ago but I'm about to head to Scotland and Ireland and wondered if you had further information. Not so much about William but the Dunns going backwards. My Granny was Susan Dunn, sister of Letitia. We are aware of their father Samuel b.1854, his father Michael b.1811, his father James b.1774 and his father Samuel b 1740 plus some wives and siblings but would be interested to know what you might have too.
I have a small memory of visiting a great aunt in Ayr and that she was connected with owning a bus company.
I also have a photo taken at my parents wedding with Susan Dunn and what I think are two of her sisters if that might be interesting to either of you.

[sheenaj]

PLeslie 54-Thank you for contacting me. What exactly are you looking for? I have descendants of Sheilds: McCreadie Dunn and Stewart. Stewart is my Paternal family name **.
Sam. Dunn and Margaret Johnston McCreadie had 9 children
John Airdrie Dunn 1876-1961: James McCreadie #1 1877-1878.: Elizabeth Dunn 1881-1946: Agnes McCreadie Dunn 1883-1916: Samuel Dunn 1885-1947** :Margaret McCreadie Dunn 1886-1971: James McCreadie Dunn #2 1891-1961: Letitia Dunn 1892-1947: And Susan Dunn 1896-1974
Sam Dunn ** married into my family of Stewart.Sam was born 18 May 1885 Stairs Ayrshire died 19 Jan 1947 #4 Hill Street Saltcoats married my Christina Stewart 28 Oct 1904 in Saltcoats Ayrshire.Christina was born 11 Aug 1882 Coylton Ayrshire  Died 1974 Saltcoats Ayrshire  her parents were my Gt. Grandparents John Lawrie Stewart[original A1 Bus owner.] and Catherine Callow.
Sam and Christina had 4 children
1. Catherine Radcliffe Callow Stewart Dunn 1906-1966  spouse John Brown Burgess 1905-1987,[A 1 Bus driver]
2.Janet Stewart Dunn 1907 -1972 . Spouse Robert Muir Hannah 1900-1972.
3. Claude Dunn 1912-1990[ A1 Bus owner] Spouse Mary 'Mo;;y' Clark 1910-1991.
#4 Daisy Dunn born 1916 have not found death record. Sp Archibald Frew McIntyre born 1917 no death record found.

Letitia was married 2 times.#1 James Hale Murray 1885-1915[KIA Flanders.] They had one child Margaret McCreadie Dunn Murray 1916-1982. She then married William John Shields they had 3 children.
Susan also was married 2 times.1 Thomas Anderson, 1877 Co Down Ire. died 1916 KIA Flanders 2 Joseph Nutt 1876-1929 one child Samuel Dunn Nutt 1918-1972.

If you need more info let me know happy to help.
Sheena

[pleslie54]

Thanks, I have a lot of this (although I didn't know the KIA details for Susan and letitia's 1st husbands). I can add that Joseph and Susan had 4 children together - Samuel as you said, was my father, then George 1921 - 1963, Joseph 1925 to 1987 (earlier Joseph from marriage with Elizabeth Boyd died in a pit accident in 1923), and James 1928 - 1985). I am in touch with my cousins and their children and hope to see lots of the next week when I visit Scotland with daughter Helen.
Really I am looking for information on the Dunn family going back beyond Samuel/Micheal/James/Samuel (1740).

[sheenaj]

Info written on Tombstone Micheal Dunn Templepatrick Ireland



Erected by Samuel B Dunn in memory of his beloved Grandfather of Millisle who died 18th Nov 1826 aged 68 years. Also his eldest son James Dunn who died 22nd March 1832 aged 58 years. Also his youngest son Samuel Dunn who died at Glasgow 28th April 1836 age 38 years.  Inscribed by Margaret and Elizabeth Dunn in memory of their father Michael Dunn of Donaghadee who died 22 June 1877 aged 66 years, grandson of Samuel Dunn of Millisle above. Also the above Margaret Dunn who died 20th Octr 1928 aged 89 years. Also the above Elizabeth Dunn who died 28th Jany 1934 ages 76 years.

Templepatrick Cemetery, Donaghadee: Templepatrick Cemetery is on Miller Hill on the road between Donaghadee and Millisle.

[pleslie54]

Thank you. This is on our list to visit on our trip.

[Hastie]

Hello, This is part of my Paternal line.
This is what I have
William John Shields b-07 Jan 1874 Auchinleck Ayrshire.Parents Father, John Shields 1849 Kilmarnock- 1921 : Mother Mary Jane Hastie 1848-1940 other ch-Jane Hiddlestone 1872-1955:Mary Hamilton 1875-1938: Isabella Hastie 1881-1969.

John Shields parents-William Shield b-1818 Fenwick Ayrshire.Mary Hamilton b-1818 Kilmarnock.Found in 1871,81 &91 censuses.Other ch- Jane b-1845:Agnes b-1852: Thomas b-1854.

Mary Jane Hastie's parents-Peter Hastie b- 01 Nov 1807 Kirkmicheal Dumfries-shire d- 03 Aug 1873 Riccerton Ayrshire.:Janet Hiddlestone.b-1817 Closeburn Dumfries-shire.d- 10 Mar 1899 Sorn Ayrshire.

Back to William John Shields. He married Letitia Dunn [this is where my tree kicks in!] b-14 Mar 1892.Rankinston Ayrshire d-11 Dec 1947 Saltcoats Ayrshire.married Husband 1-20 Oct 1901 Tarbolton Joseph Hale Murrayb-1855 Stoneykirk Wigtownshire  d- 25 Sep 1915 Flanders Field France Pvt-Highland Light inf.She married William J.Shields 07 Nov 1924 Kilbirnie Ayrshire. They had [at least] 1 child William.no BDM noted,no clue to spouse, but he had a child Maureen Letitia Shields -living I visited with she and father in Stevenston 1950's he owned the Greyfriars Hotel/pub.Maureen was in my class at Ardrossan Accademy lost touch with her but did bump into her in Saltcoats 1990's briefly.
Parents of Letitia were Samuel Dunn 1854-1909. and Margaret Johnston  McCreadie 1855-1922.Hope this answers some of your questions.

To my knowledge there is no Irish connections to Shields To Dunns yes
Sheena

I stumbled across this and think you have made an error.

I have the marriage cert of William Shields and Letitia Murray (previously Dunn) - it states he was born illegitimate to a Jane Shields (deceased at the time of their marriage)  he is also 55 years old - so he cannot be William John Shields from the family you stated above.  He was living at 66 Hamilton Street at the time of the marriage.