Mary Helen (senior) 'Ellen' Shields

Mary Ellen Condon was born in Ireland. She was the second born of nine children to parents William and Mary Ann Condon (nee Lane). Sadly four of Mary Ellen’s siblings would die very young. Her father would die at the age of 46 years.

When Mary Ellen married Hugh Shields on 6th December 1878, her marriage certificate names her as Mary Helen. She was 18 years old and her occupation was a Tailoress. Hugh Shields was listed as being 21 years old when they married and his occupation was given as a Shoemaker (Journeyman). Hugh’s father, also Hugh, had his occupation listed as Shoemaker (Master), which meant he was either the owner of his shop or in charge of training staff. Mary Ellen signed her name with her mark X. The witness to this was Alex Munro of 25 Trongate, Glasgow.
The witnesses to their wedding was a John Condon (possibly Mary Ellen’s brother).
The other witness was a Catherine Bell.
Later in the 1881 Census we would see a Boarder by the name of Joseph Bell (80 years old) from Ireland, living with them. He was a Tobacco Spinner, the same occupation as Mary Ellen’s father.

Mary Ellen and Hugh would face great sadness in their lives with the death of three of their children.

Their first child born was Francis (Frank) born in 1879.
Then Hugh junior around 1881.
Next was Mary Helen (1st) born in 1882 but sadly she died at the age of just six months due to Bronchitis.
Henry (Harry) was born around 1885.
James was born in 1887.
Mary Helen (2nd) was born in 1888 but sadly died at the age of 10 months due to Bronchitis. She died on 13th October 1889.
One month later on 13th November 1889, Mary Ellen gave birth to a son they named Charles, but unfortunately he was born one month prematurely. Very sadly he died after two days.
The three children died at the same address. Two were born at that address too.

On Mary Ellen’s death certificate it states her father was a Tobacco Spinner. Her mother’s maiden name was Lane. Mary Ellen’s death certificate was signed by her son James Joseph Shields. His address was given as 251 High Street, Glasgow.

Mary Ellen died at 180 Adelphi Street at 10.45am. This was not her home address. Her home address was given as 119 Saltmarket, Glasgow. This had been her home with her husband Hugh Shields. Hugh had died five years earlier. Mary Ellen’s occupation was still a Tailoress. She was 56 years old when she died.
180 Adelphi Street was the family home of her son Francis (Frank) and his wife Sarah.