It's believed he may have been a married man; known to eventual adopters Sheil.
and there was much talk about emigrating to Australia after George's birth.....
Mother Cathrine lodged with adopters; and fathers name was also included on baptismal record;
the name Best was then struck off birth record, but William left on! Hence the complex names.
The story of Catherine going into convent was often talked about....but origianlly descendants thought it was George Shiels sister ...it now looks like it was HIS MOTHER -Catherine.
The Shiels daughter was not called Catherine...she married and had family.
On a census it was worked out that mother of George (Catherine) was 26 when George was born.
Still need confirmation of Catherines death....so still searching?
?
Could Wm. Best and Catherine Mc Elroy BOTH have emigrated to Australia?
