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 –

Death record of Alannah’s paternal uncle –

Alannah’s paternal grandfather, Percy William Byles, on the 1881 England and Wales Census –

Alannah’s paternal great-grandfather, Thomas Job Byles, on the 1871 England and Wales Census –

Baptismal record of Alannah’s paternal great-grandmother, Agnes Alder –

Post of Alannah’s mother –