Family Mystery

[John G Haslam]

Hello,

My grandfather Joseph Cunningham lost his mother Catherine Cunningham (Wilkinson) in 1897 when he was one year old.  The following year he lost his father John Cunningham.  Joseph was adopted by his Great Aunt, Eliza O'Neil.

Our family had thought he was the only child but I have just discovered he had three siblings.  Mark was born in 1891, Mary born 1893 and John born 1894.  All three were born in Atherton.  I have found a death registration for Mark in Atherton age 1 which fits with his birth date.

Therefore, when John Cunningham died in September 1898, he left three children.  Mary 5, John 4 and Joseph 2.  The family had moved to Salford and John died at 55 Basten Street.

So what happened to Mary and John?  John had a brother Thomas Cunningham (b. 1868, Tuam, Ireland) who may have emmigrated to America and is named as the god parent at Mary's baptism in 1893.  Could Mary have gone to live with him?

I can find no credible trace of any of them.  What would the authorities do with such young children in this situation?  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for reading this,

John 

[KGarrad]

Probably a complete red-herring, but:

1901 census: Class: RG13; Piece: 3596; Folio: 49; Page: 31
16 The Walk, Atherton, Lancashire

Booth, James  Head  M  34  Coal Worker Below Ground  b Bolton
Booth, Ann  Wife  F  23  b Burnley
Cunningham, John  Son  M  3  b Atherton
Booth, William  Son  M  7 months  b Atherton

Next door are James & Ann Cunningham?

[heatherjulie]

Baptism: 22 Oct 1894 Sacred Heart, Hindsford, Atherton, Lancashire, England
Joannes Cunningham - Son of Joannis Cunningham & Catharinae (formerly Wilkinson)
Born: 26 Sep 1894
Godparents: Nora McKeeg?
Baptised by: Richardo J. O'Neill Miss. Apost.

Baptism: 17 Jan 1892 Sacred Heart, Hindsford, Atherton, Lancashire, England
Marcus Cunningham - Son of Joannis Cunningham & Catharinae (formerly Wilkson)
Born: 19 Dec 1891
Godparents: Patricius Cunghingham; Maria Fury
Notes: [Surname spelt Cunningham and Cunghingham in same entry]
Baptised by: Richardo J. O'Neill Miss. Apost.

Baptism: 16 Jul 1893 Sacred Heart, Hindsford, Atherton, Lancashire, England
Maria Cunningham - Daughter of Joannis Cunningham & Catharinae (formerly Wilkinson)
Born: 9 Jun 1893
Godparents: Thomas Cunningham; Elizabetha O'Neill
Baptised by: Richardo J. O'Neill Miss. Apost.

[heatherjulie]

James BOOTH and Ann CUNNINGHAM  in 1900 at Leigh Register Office or Registrar Attended

[heatherjulie]

Is this  the birth record of your John
added: this can't be your John as it is too late
 John CUNNINGHAM mother's maiden name WILKINSON registered 1897 St Peters district  Preston

The one registered in Atherton
John CUNNINGHAM mother's maiden name CUNNINGHAM registered 1898 Atherton, Wigan & Leigh 

[heatherjulie]

Could these be 2 more children?

There is also a Gertrude Cunningham born 1893 St John Preston mmn Wilkinson. She died in 1893 aged 0

There is a Minnie Cunningham born 1895 St John Preston mmn Wilkinson. She died 1895 aged 0


added: these children must be from the other Wilkinson/Cunningham family

[heatherjulie]

A long shot but there is a John Cunningham born Salford in the St Josephs Certified Industrial School for Boys in Manchester  in 1901. The age is a few years out but would he know when he was born if his parents died when he was so young


Piece:3699 Folio:135 Page Number:16

[John G Haslam]

Hello KGarrad and Heatherjulie,

Thank you so much for your replies.  The baptism records are the correct details.  I think the god parent Elizabetha O'Neil could be the Eliza O'Neil who went on the adopt and raise Joseph Cunningham.  Eliza O'Neil could be key to this story! 

The John Cunningham listed in the Industrial School looks very interesting as I can see the birth place and age details being confused in such circumstances and the family were living in Salford at the time of John's death.

I have discussed these baptism records with my Uncle who says there was a rumour in the family of a Mary Cunningham who went to live in America.  He thought Mary was John the Father's sister.  Could the rumour have been about John the Son's sister Mary.

I have done some research about the Cunningham family in Ireland and there is no record of a Mary Cunningham.

Eliza O'Neil did a fantastic job with Joseph who went on to have a large family.  She obviously knew something of Joseph's siblings, but never told Joseph about their existence.  Joseph also knew two of his Uncles, Patrick and Michael in later years as they lived locally.  They too kept the existence of his siblings secret.  Hence the mystery.

John