A Cornish Sourcebook

The British are parodied as insular, the best example being the perhaps apocryphal newspaper headline "Fog in the Channel: Continent Isolated." How can this be reconciled with the extent of the British Empire at its zenith?

For genealogy and local history insularity can be a virtue. Residents take a delight in their unique clearly circumscribed situation. Although a peninsula rather than an island Cornwall has similar unique attributes. It was a delight to stumble upon this site which seems to be a labour of love by one Chris Bond. Delve into the Index to the Historical Place Names of Cornwall to be delivered to a world marked by Celtic names distinct from those of the rest of England, certainly more like Wales. Look through for the list of Cornish place name elements for insight into the meaning.

The other sections of the site include: Historical Illustrations of Ancient Cornwall; Maps and Plans of Cornwall; Historical Texts; Parish and Manor Bounds; Postcards of Cornwall; Public Domain Photos; and more. If you're looking for something specific, and there are many surnames mentioned, try the whole site index found by scrolling to the bottom of the home page.