Person:Helen Cunningham (4)

Helen apparently died between 1846 and 1859 (when her husband remarried). William was listed as a widower in 1859 when he married Mary Neilson. Helen possibly died between 1846 and 1851 as the children, William(b1846) and Helen(b1846),twins, were living with their grandparents at the 1851 census. William (b1846) was still with his grandparents at the 1861 census.

   Helen is variously recorded as:
   - Elorn Cimun      - on son William(b1846)'s marriage certificate in 1866
   - Mary Cuningham   - on husband William (b1821)'s death certificate in 1876 by his brother Thomas(b 1819)
   - Helen Cuningham  - on daughter Helen(b1846)'s marriage certificate in 1868
   - Helen Cunningham - on daughter Helen(b1846)'s death certificate in 1881 as recorded by Helen's husband
   - Ellen Cunningham - on son William's (b1846) death certificate in 1913 as recorded by a grandson.

   Because Helen most likely died when the children were very young it is not surprising that they did not remember her name correctly.

   The Cunningham family is of Scottish origin and dates from the notable Cunningham Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland in the year 1150 A. D. which is located on the banks of the Garnock two miles north of Kilberney, Scotland.  The family has been prominent in Scotland since the 12th century and has sent off members into England which have been prominent in that country for several centuries.  Every branch of the Cunningham family, whatever spelling they use, has adopted or accepted the original Coat-of-arms of the "Shake fork" and nearly all of them use the original motto. A few, however, have added other mottoes and here and there make some additions to the old Coat-of-arms, but none had dispensed with the "Shake fork" which is strong confirmatory evidence of the old tradition as to how the family name was obtained.  

   The family had risen to great prominence in Scotland by the thirteenth century and in the latter years of that century when the Scots under Wallace rose against the tyranny of Edward the First.