The Parish Registers Of St Columb Major Cornwall 1539-1780

Unlock Your Cornish Roots: The Parish Registers of St Columb Major, 1539-1780

Step back in time and walk in the footsteps of your ancestors. This essential genealogical resource provides a direct line into the heart of one of Cornwall's most historic parishes. Spanning over 240 years, these meticulously transcribed records are the key to unlocking family histories long before the era of civil registration.

For anyone with Cornish heritage, the parish of St Columb Major is a vital link to the past. Now, you can access the foundational records of life, love, and loss in this vibrant community, from the reign of Henry VIII to the American Revolution.

Inside This Invaluable Volume, You Will Find:

Baptisms (1539-1780): Discover the names of your forebears, their dates of baptism, and, crucially, the names of their parents, allowing you to trace your family back generation by generation.
Marriages (1539-1780): Unite family lines by finding marriage banns and solemnizations. These entries often include the names of the bride and groom, their parish of residence, and sometimes the names of witnesses.
Burials (1539-1780): Complete the family story with burial records, providing dates of interment that can help confirm death dates and narrow down research windows.

These records are more than just names and dates; they are the story of St Columb Major itself. Your ancestors may have been farmers, tinners, merchants, or craftsmen who lived through momentous events in English history. They might even have witnessed the famous annual hurling match, a tradition unique to the parish that continues to this day.

A Parish of Notable History & Famous Connections

St Columb Major is more than just a rural parish; it has been home to and shaped by individuals of significant historical and cultural importance. As you delve into these registers, you are exploring the same community that knew:

Samuel Wesley (1662-1735): The father of John and Charles Wesley, the founders of Methodism. Samuel served as the Rector of St Columb Major from 1697 to 1735. While searching these records, you may find the baptisms, marriages, or burials of parishioners whose lives he touched, or even entries related to his own family during his influential tenure.

John Trevisa (c. 1342 – c. 1402): One of England's earliest and most important translators. Born in the parish, Trevisa's work in translating the Bible and other texts into Middle English was ground breaking. While his life predates these registers, his family likely remained in the area for centuries, and your own family tree may intersect with the descendants of this great Cornish scholar.

William Golding (1911-1993): Though born centuries after these registers conclude, the Nobel Prize-winning author of Lord of the Flies was a native of St Columb Major. His deep connection to the landscape and its people is a testament to the enduring character of the parish you are researching.