Alannah Myles
Birth Name: Alannah Byles
Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date of Birth: December 25, 1958
Ethnicity:
*75% Irish
*25% English
Alannah Myles is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She is known for her award-winning song “Black Velvet.” She is the daughter of Sheilagh Francis Byles and William Douglas “Bill” Byles, a pioneer in the Canadian broadcasting industry, who was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame in 1997.
Alannah’s paternal grandfather was Percy William Byles (the son of Thomas Job Byles and Agnes Alder). Percy was born in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. Thomas was born in Oxford, the son of William Byles and Anne Maria Collins. Agnes was born in Binsey, Berkshire, the daughter of Richard Alder and Harriet Walker.
Alannah’s paternal grandmother was named Mary Margaret Blake. Mary Margaret was an Irish emigrant, from Dublin.
Alannah’s maternal grandfather was named John Rankin. John was born in Ireland.
Alannah’s maternal grandmother was named Annie O’Hanlon. Annie was born in Ireland.
Sources: Genealogy of Alannah’s father – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Alannah’s paternal uncle – https://familysearch.org
Alannah’s paternal grandfather, Percy William Byles, on the 1881 England and Wales Census – https://familysearch.org
Alannah’s paternal great-grandfather, Thomas Job Byles, on the 1871 England and Wales Census – https://familysearch.org
Baptismal record of Alannah’s paternal great-grandmother, Agnes Alder – https://familysearch.org
Post of Alannah’s mother – https://www.facebook.com
Great!
But, how do you know that those are his maternal grandparents?
I just found that her mother was Sheilagh/Sheila Francis Rankin, born in 1917, possibly the daughter of a John Rankin. The surname Rankin can be Irish or Scottish, and in Canada can be traced to both countries, Ireland and Scotland.
Given the name “Sheilagh” Irish can be assumed, but it is uncertain.
If anyone wants to help I would be grateful, I couldn’t find anything else so far.
https://www.facebook.com/AlannahMyles/posts/1723001724399366
A post in Facebook of Alannah’s mother