Henry Cunningham and Esther O'Neal

[David Burrows]

I am trying to find out about my GG grandfathers family. I have very limited information to start from.

I have a marriage certificate for my GG grandfather Henry Cunningham, 45, born Belfast. He is married in Australia in 1901, I'm not sure how he arrived in Australia or when. His parents are Henry Cunningham, Farmer and his mother is Esther O'Neal.
I have discovered that he is a bit of a shady character, 25 years older than GG grandmother when married and she was 8.5 months pregnant. They divorced after 2 years she apparently discovered him in bed with the maid. I have found him in directories lised as Henry James and also James Henry Cunningham.
Any hints for finding the parents in Belfast or surrounds. Census, church records. Would there be records related to farming??

[aghadowey]

If Henry's father was a farmer then he could have lived near Belfast rather than in the city. Griffith's Valuation (mid-1800s) might show him- I can'r find a Henry Cunningham in Co. Antrim and there are several in Co. Down but none that close to Belfast-
http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/

The first complete census for Ireland is 1901- it and 1911 are online (free)- only small portions of earlier ones for a few places survive-
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/

To find church records you need their religion and location (townland if not actual parish) but not all records survive and of those that do not all are online.