Profile Text
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 John Rankin (the son of Peter Rankin and Elizabeth Murphy). John was born in Newry, Down, Ireland. Peter was born in Dromiskin, County Louth, the son of John Rankin and Mary Carney. Elizabeth was born in Carlingford, County Louth, the daughter of Terence Murphy and Mary Hagan.
Alannah’s maternal grandmother was Annie O’Hanlon/McCambley (who may have been the daughter of William McCamley and Mary Ohanlan). Annie was born in Newry, Ireland. William was born in Newry, the son of Patrick Mccamley and Mary Mcguigan.
Sources: Genealogies of Alannah’s parents – 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 about Alannah’s mother – https://www.facebook.com