 In
the nineteenth century hundreds of thousands of people left Cornwall
in search of a better life overseas. Now, many of them - and others
here at home - are trying to trace their family tree.
Be
warned though - what might start out as idle curiosity can become
an all-consuming obsession!
The
basic rule is is to work backwards beginning with what you actually
know. Ask for help from relations, neighbours or other people
who live in your area and build up a solid foundation of knowledge
that you can build on.
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| Help
your children to be aware of their ancestors. |
Get
yourself organised. Have files and storage systems for any information
that comes your way so that's it's easy to find. There's nothing
more frustrating than knowing you've got someone's name or birthdate
jotted down "somewhere". Start a folder or directory in
your computer where you can put e mails, notes and information gathered
from the internet.
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| Gather
information from wherever you can; that stranger sitting next
to you in the cinema could be a relation! |
There
are dozens of books, websites and organisations to help you. You
can even pay someone to help you when you get stuck! Some contact
points are listed below. Don't forget that your local library can
often help - not only with reference books but with online connections
and advice too. Ask anyone and everyone; you never know when that
one "piece of the jigsaw" that you've been looking for
will come along and help you complete the puzzle!
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| Every
generation can be interested in another. |
If
you can, spend some time in the place where you think your relations
have come from, or at least "virtually" visit it so that
you can check out local newspapers, libraries, social clubs or organisations
that may be able to help you. Remember that other people may well
be doing the same as you so ask for help at local or regional genealogy
groups - you may be able to "swop" information with other
members. Keep a record of every clue or scrap of information you
find; like a detective story even if you don't think it means anything
now it may prove vital in the future.
Cornwall
around the world
The Cornwall Family History Society
is based at 5, Victoria Square, Truro, Cornwall TR1 2RS. Call
them on 01872.264044. email secretary @cornwallfhs.com. They have
agents overseas:
Australia
Mrs E P McDonald, 9 Backford Street, Chermside West, Queensland
4032, Australia.
Canada
Mr
B R Waters, 55 Balmoral Avenue, Toronoto, M4V 1J5, Canada.
New Zealand
Mrs J Bruton, Titiro-ki-Pahurehure, 57/2 Youngs Road, Papakura,
New Zealand.
United States of America
Mr T Gross, 542 Old Main Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-1512,
USA.
Web
sites
Organised by region this site could help you in your search.
www.familysearch.org
This is the database of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints.
Access the 1901 census.
The site for the public record office.
Cornwall
Connected
Contact the Cornwall Connected programme with your stories of success
(or failure!). Perhaps your family researches could help someone
else or even link up with another tree! e mail cornwallconnected
@bbc.co.uk.
Good
luck and keep in touch!
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