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I have recently been contacted (through Ancestry.co.uk) by my 3rd cousin 2x removed who lives in the USA. Our family connection is through a Cornish family by the name of Toy, whilst her branch of the Toy family went to the USA in the 1860's my lot came to Lancashire, first living in Whitworth and then moving onto Burnley.
I know there were several Cornish families in Lancashire in the late 19c and I presume that a downturn in copper mining led them to seek employment elsewhere.
I have also heard about the "knobstickers" a nickname given to the Cornishmen who used "knobsticks" to defend themselves.
I would like to be able to tell Deanna more about the Cornish in Lancashire, so can anyone recomend a local history publication that I could read.

I can't think of any Joan.

There are some images of 'Little Cornwall' on the site. It is the area where a lot of the Cornish folk lived, much like the Irish congregating in one vicinity.

http://briercliffesociety.co.uk/Photo%2 ... rnwall.htm
http://briercliffesociety.co.uk/Photo%2 ... 0Lane1.htm
http://briercliffesociety.co.uk/Photo%2 ... 0Lane2.htm

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Hi Joan, it might be worth contacting Burnley library, they may be able to advise you on any publications.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

In Bennetts History of Burnley, part iv, page 132 , there is a paragraph with reference to an unnamed Cornishman who had come to Burnley in 1873. He addressed the miners in the Cattle Market in August 1875. It was to do with the reduction of labour and pits working half time. He complained that the owners had broken the contract, but little satisfaction was derived from the interviews with them.
There is also a mention on the previous page saying that the mine owners had brought some 400 miners and their families to Burnley from Devon and Cornwall and offered them a two years's cotract at 7s. a day. The Cornish Miners were first housed in an iron building but later they were accommodated in cottages at Brunshaw and Little Cornwall, near the Griffin Inn.

Hope this helps, I will have a flit through later to see id I can see any more.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Thankyou very much everyone, I will enquire at the library - in fact I saw Ken Spencer this morning and if I had been thinking I could have asked him!

Through these Cornish newcomers, the word 'knobstick', used derisively, came to mean a strike breaker generally, in the Burnley area at least.

Rex

My Ellis family ( James, his mother & his brother & sisters ) also came from Cornwall ( St Just in Penwith area ). They all worked in the mills in or near Clitheroe. Their father had been a tin miner.