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Author Topic: Would my Cornish ancestors have spoken the Cornish language?  (Read 3695 times)

Offline Griffl

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Would my Cornish ancestors have spoken the Cornish language?
« on: Monday 02 March 15 13:39 GMT (UK) »
Hello all,

Wonder if anyone has any info in regards to Cornish...

I have ancestors in Megavissey from around 1750
And ancestors in Constantine at around 1660

I also have a few lines in Newlyn East

Would they have spoken cornish? Until when?
Thanks all

Offline Priscilla

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Re: Would my ancestors have spoken the Cornish language?
« Reply #1 on: Monday 02 March 15 15:37 GMT (UK) »
You may find this of interest re Dolly Pentreath the last Cornish speaker ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolly_Pentreath
Eccles (Hoylake / Exeter / Plymouth)
Hicks (Devonport, Plymouth)
Grafton (Exeter, Devon)
Harris (Marazion, Cornwall)
Collard (Yeovil, Somerset)
Johns (Devonport, Plymouth)
Lyle (Bude, Cornwall)

Offline bibliotaphist

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Re: Would my ancestors have spoken the Cornish language?
« Reply #2 on: Monday 02 March 15 15:48 GMT (UK) »
There is a WikiMedia image which shows the westward retreat of Cornish up to the year 1750. I don't know what the source of their data is. It may give you an idea of how far back in time you'd have to go to be likely to meet a Cornish-speaking ancestor!

Offline josey

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Re: Would my Cornish ancestors have spoken the Cornish language?
« Reply #3 on: Monday 02 March 15 16:25 GMT (UK) »
Wonderful map, thanks pstainthorp. I've got Tremellings & others back to 1570 or so in Phillack & had never thought about them speaking Cornish till Griffl posted the query.
Seeking: RC baptism Philip Murray Feb ish 1814 ? nr Chatham Kent.
IRE: Kik DRAY[EA], PURCELL, WHITE: Mea LYNCH: Tip MURRAY, SHEEDY: Wem ALLEN, ENGLISHBY; Dub PENROSE: Lim DUNN[E], FRAWLEY, WILLIAMS.
87th Regiment RIF: MURRAY
ENG; Marylebone HAYTER, TROU[W]SDALE, WILLIAMS,DUNEVAN Con HAMPTON, TREMELLING Wry CLEGG, HOLLAND, HORSEFIELD Coventry McGINTY
CAN; Halifax & Pictou: HOLLAND, WHITE, WILLIAMSON
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