Scottish Miners in Cornwall

[castlebob]

I'm trying to find out if any Scottish coal miners ever moved to Cornwall to work in the tin mines. I'm particularly interested in those who may have done so during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Cheers,
Bob

[Ruskie]

People used to move around a lot following work, so I am sure it is very possible Bob.

Are you looking for anyone in particular?

[castlebob]

Nobody in particular on this occasion, Ruskie. It's a long story, but any evidence of such movement, plus that of Scottish fishermen who perhaps relocated to Cornwall, would be extremely useful for research purposes.
Cheers,
Bob

[osprey]

if you search on the census for men living in Cornwall in mining areas with Scotland as their place of birth, there are a few who show up.
So in 1851 there is a John Marks born Scotland aged 49 in Camborne who is a sexton HO107/1916 folio 20 pg 33. When he married in 1841 as a widower, he and his father were both miners.

Also in 1851 in Camborne there's a mine agent George Swan born Scotland HO107/1916 folio 45 pg 6

And in Kenwyn in 1851 there's a John Yellow (corrected to Yelland) aged 27 copper miner born Scotland.

[osprey]

mmm, not so sure about John Marks now. Place of birth in 1861 given as Newcastle, Scotland!

 

[hdw]

Some people believe there was movement in the opposite direction - Cornish miners moving up to Fife. I once corresponded with somebody who believed that the Mathers families of the St. Monans area were descended from a Cornish miner called Mathers or Matters (older form of the name). Not so sure about that myself.

Harry

[castlebob]

Interesting. The Newcastle may be Newcastleton, a tiny village near Canonbie in Scotland.
Cheers,
Bob

[Flemming]

If you go to the Cornwall OPC site and type in 'Mac' or 'Mc' for person search, or for a specific category (bp, marriage, etc.) you'll see quite a few Scottish surnames, some with christian names Alexander and Duncan. For example, Margaret Maccollister bp 1736 Madron to father Robert; Elizabeth McDonald 1725 Falmouth to father Hugh.

Some of the later Mac/Mc marriages have the groom as a soldier, but you may find other occupations there. It may be a question of going through them, unless the paying sites produce any returns by using 'miner' in a keyword in the search. 

[castlebob]

Someone may come forward with a ref to an article or thesis on the subject. Many years ago I obtained some info re Jacobite prisoners who dug the Fenland drainage system in East Anglia. From memory, some stayed on following their release. It's amazing how often someone has written up a subject, however obscure!