Hi Viv,
My interest in the Shimmins is twofold, and at present tentative; you may be ble to confirm.
Robert Shimmin (1850-85) married Frances Sarah Bell - their dau Mgt Jane is presumably your Gmother. Frances Sarah's brother Rbt Alfred Bell (1854-1916) m. Annie Crellin and their son Rbt Alfred (Jackie ) Bell married Annie Bell d/o Thos Bell (1840-1912) / Sarah Hughes. Thos Bell was one of my maternal Gt Gfathers. I have not established a connection betwen the two Bell families.
However! - back to Robert Shimmin (1850-85); if he was the youngest son of Richard Shimmin (1804-59)/ Elizabeth Cain (1807-50) then via one of Robert's siblings (John 1827-95) I have a direct line to my sister in law, thus linking two apparently separate trees albeit not by a direct blood relationship (yet!)
JohnL