Helen Ann Hay was born on 4 October 1831. She came from a well-educated family. Her father William had been a schoolmaster in the Parish of Huntly in Aberdeenshire. Her cautioner, her aunt Helen Donald, was a ‘Teacher of Female Deportment of Dr Bell’s School’ in Aberdeen.

Her circumstances were that:

The late William Hay after having been many years Schoolmaster of the Parish of Huntly died suddenly, leaving a family of Seven children quite unprovided for, the previous expenses of the family having exhausted all their means. – There is no relation who can contribute to their support, and they have no prospects of any kind. Their destitute situation is completely established by the attestation of the minister of the Parish, and that of the Surgeon and other individuals who have subscribed the Letters and Certificates mentioned in the preceding page, which the Directors of the Institution are respectfully requested to examine.

At the time of her application in 1837, Helen had five living siblings: Jane (1820-1895); Agnes (1822-1801); Margaret (b. 14 Sept. 1826); Williamina (1828-1876); James (1834-1880). A sister, Alexina (b. 6 February 1824) had died before the date of Helen’s application. Helen was selected for admission to John Watson’s Institution at the Directors’ Meeting of 26 June 1837.

Helen’s time at the school lasted less than a year: she died on 10 April 1838 aged seven and was buried in the school’s Cauldron Burial Ground.

Helen’s siblings who survived to adulthood; Jane, Agnes, Williamina, and James, all moved to Victoria, Australia.