From the earliest editions the Cornish newspapers carried notices or ‘announcements’ of births, marriages and deaths. These announcements were often very brief but in the case of deaths there was sometimes a short biographical sketch of the deceased. In the case of well known individuals or when the circumstances were tragic, especially if a mining or sea catastrophe, then there may also be extensive reporting of the event. Transcripts or photocopies of such reports can be a prized addition to any family history or research project.

The problem is, of course, finding out whether such announcements exist and then obtaining a copy. Cornwall has, since 1810, been blest with a wide variety of local Cornish newspapers - over 40 different titles.

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Apart from Cornish publications, entries appeared in foreign publications all over the world. CIP are compiling a database of death announcements - gleaned from Cornish newspapers as well as National & Foreign publications. Unless of particular interest, our database contains notes of deaths that occurred OUTSIDE of Cornwall.

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The following three examples refer to deaths in the Isles of Scilly :

     · West Briton, 10th April, 1812 - On the 27th ult., in St. Mary’s, Scilly, Mr. JOHN BANFIELD, aged 46, many years a member in the Methodist Connection, deservedly

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esteemed and regretted by all his acquaintance.

     · West Briton, 3rd February, 1826 - At St. Agnes, Scilly, almost immediately after giving birth to a fine boy. Mrs. SKINNER (wife of the chief boatsman of the Preventative Water Guard on that island) leaving eight small children, besides the unconscious infant, to lament their irreparable loss. The solemn offices of baptising the child and burying it’s mother was performed in one afternoon, in the presence of a great number of sympathetic spectators.

     · West Briton, 29th December, 1826 - Lately, at St. Agnes, Scilly, at the advanced age of 88 years, Mr. FRANCIS HICKS, who for above forty years held the offices of lay reader and parish clerk in that island. His remains were accompanied to the grave by the whole population of the place, including a great number of his descendants, in the third and fourth generation.

The following are examples of overseas events - one each for birth, marriage and death :

     · West Briton, 25th October, 1850 - at Paso Tempo Mine, Brazil, in June last, while in the act of directing the men as to the future working of the mine, Mr. JAMES CLARK, formerly of St. Austell, aged 64 years. His death was caused by a quantity of stones which crushed him in a dreadful manner. He was universally esteemed by all who knew him, both English and Portuguese.

     · West Briton, 7th January, 1892 - At El Refugio, Bachiniba, State of Chilinahua, Mexico, by Senor Don GENARO BLIGHT (Civil Judge) in accordance with Protestant rites, CHARLES HENRY MAYNARD late of Illogan highway, to CARMELLIA VILLALORES.

     · West Briton, 30th August, 1850 - At Mono Velho, Brazil, on the 4th May last, the wife of Mr. GEORGE ROASE, smith, formerly of Truro, a son.