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Library

The society’s research library at 18 Lemon Street, Truro is open to all and staffed by volunteer members (non-members may make a donation).

Opening Hours

Monday – 11.00 to 15.00
Tuesday – closed all day
Wednesday – 11.00 to 15.00
Thursday – 11.00 to 15.00 and evenings 18.30 to 21.00 (by appointment only)
Friday – 11.00 to 15.00
Saturday – 10.00 to 13.00 (currently only the first Saturday of the month)
Sunday – closed all day

Resources Available

The GRO indexes (formerly St Catherine’s indexes) for England and Wales.

The complete indexes of civil registration (Births, Marriages and Deaths) 1837-1999 on microfiche and alphabetically arranged for each quarter. Other GRO miscellaneous indexes include war deaths, armed services births, deaths and marriages overseas (1796-1965), Consular indexes; etc.

Census Returns

1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1891 and 1901 for the whole of Cornwall on microfiche. As our volunteer transcribers continue to work, an increasing proportion of parishes are indexed The indexes can be searched on the computer. 

1881 British Isles census, indexed by LDS, on microfiche and computer.

The International Genealogical Index (IGI)

1988 edition for Cornwall, England and most of the world. 1992 edition for Cornwall and Devon.

Marriages

All marriages recorded in Cornwall up to the start of civil registration in 1837 have been transcribed and are available for surname search on our database. The Phillimore transcripts (1538-1812) covering most of Cornwall are chronological in parishes (26 volumes) and indexed by CFHS alphabetically for the county. Ross and Boyd Marriage Indexes covering most of Cornwall, both alphabetical in 25 year periods, and containing parishes not covered by Phillimore. Ross goes to the 1870s generally and to 1925 in many cases; Boyd to 1812.

Burial / Monumental Inscriptions (MIs)

The MIs (gravestones) for many burial grounds in Cornwall have been recorded and indexed alphabetically. Most of the burial registers (1813-1837) have been indexed alphabetically. This is an ongoing project and is updated regularly. Many gravestones have been photographed.

Other Material

Transcripts of many Parish Registers; many overseas records; journals of other family history societies including those from overseas; family pedigrees and histories; parish histories; poor law apprenticeship/master records; some passenger lists; strays, much material concerning emigration, particularly to the USA.

Many of the society’s records have been computerised giving rapid access. The society’s computer contains over five million entries at present and more are being added regularly.

Library Services

The society is very proud of its many research facilities and even if you are unable to visit the Library in person, you can still put in a request to our Research Service and our volunteers will do their best to answer your query.

Latest News

  • Whence We Came – Now available in Free Content
  • DECEMBER JOURNAL 2022
  • Listening to the Enemy: War Comes to a Cornish Village by Michael Griffiths is now available
  • SEPTEMBER JOURNAL 2022
  • JUNE JOURNAL 2022

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Cornwall Family History Society

Since its beginning in 1976, the society has aimed to become a ‘centre of excellence’ by encouraging Cornish family history research. This is being achieved by publishing a quarterly Journal, co-ordinating the transcription and indexing of over 5 million original records, maintaining a research library in Truro for members and the general public and offering a means of worldwide contact and exchange of information between members.

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Contact CFHS

Cornwall Family History Society,
18 Lemon Street,
Truro,
Cornwall,
TR1 2LS, UK

e: secretary@cornwallfhs.com
t: 01872 264044

The Cornwall Family History Society, 18 Lemon Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LS, UK
email: secretary@cornwallfhs.com | telephone: 01872 264044
Registered Charity No: 288686 | © 2017 the Cornwall Family History Society
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