Tag: Jenkin

17. Jenkin

The Latin name Johannes eventually gave us Jean in French and John in English. In medieval times Johns were often more familiarly known as Jan or Jen. This form then had -kin added to it to give the 16th century Jenkyn, Jankyn and similar. Before becoming a hereditary surname the suffix -kin was first used … Continue reading 17. Jenkin →

St Blazey and a patriotic Cornishman

Amelia Hancock (see previous blog) was described by the Daughters of the American Revolution as an ‘extremely patriotic and intelligent woman’. The patriotism they were referring to was to her adopted homeland. Another St Blazey child of 1861 provides more evidence for a strong sense of patriotism, but this time a Cornish patriotism. Sometimes it’s … Continue reading St Blazey and a patriotic Cornishman →

Perranzabuloe: leaving Poldark’s parish

Perranzabuloe became the home in the 1930s of Winston Graham, the author of the Poldark series of novels. A few local placenames then made an appearance in his novels, Nampara for instance being used as the name of Ross and Demelza’s home. Emma Hoskin had been born in the real hamlet of Nampara, which was … Continue reading Perranzabuloe: leaving Poldark’s parish →

From Crantock sailor to Camborne grocer?

Elizabeth Jane Jolley was the first child of John and Elizabeth, a young married couple living at Trevallack in St Columb Minor in 1851. By 1861 John and Elizabeth together with Elizabeth Jane and three other children, were living at Trewolla in Crantock, to the west of Newquay. Short moves were frequent, as the presence … Continue reading From Crantock sailor to Camborne grocer? →

Carbis Bay in 1891: de-industrialised and older, but still local

In 1861 the small community of Carbis Bay had been thriving, its young residents working in the nearby tin mines. A generation later in 1891 the mines had closed and the community been decimated. The 103 inhabitants of 1861 had fallen to a mere 45, living in 13 households. There was only one man left … Continue reading Carbis Bay in 1891: de-industrialised and older, but still local →