Ancestral Travel

January 7, 2024 - My day began with an unexpected adventure, one that left me caked in mud after getting stuck in the Menabilly car park. Not exactly how I’d planned to start my visit! After freeing myself from the muddy situation, I made a quick stop at a petrol station to gather some essential ... Read more

With my afternoon reserved for exploring the Lemon/Tremayne connection at Heligan, I decided to begin my day at another ancestral estate—one that holds deep ties to my family's history. Through my 7x great-grandmother, Rachel Rashleigh, I trace my lineage to the Rashleighs of Menabilly, an estate near Fowey with roots extending back to Barnstaple, Devon, ... Read more

While my visit to Cornwall was primarily focused on exploring my maternal grandmother’s side of the family, I was delighted by a last-minute twist that allowed me to connect with her paternal roots as well. My Nana’s paternal grandfather, Joseph Lucas, was born in Bath in 1863 to William Cleaver and Anne Lucas. You might ... Read more

Kresen Kernow, GR/478 - Bargain and Sale of lands around Perranuthnoe and Germoe. Accessed January 2024. As I explore my family history, one name keeps emerging: Samuel Lemon. The Samuel Lemon I’ve been following in previous posts had a son who shared his name, often referred to as Samuel Lemon the Younger while his father ... Read more

As I left my hotel on a January morning, I made my way toward Morrab Library in Penzance. The air was fresh, and the sunlight added a pleasant warmth, making the day feel more inviting than typical winter weather. I knew I’d arrive before the doors opened, so I took the opportunity to wander through ... Read more

As I mentioned in my post about Germoe, Breaca was the sister of Germochus, a Celtic king. They were part of a band of Irish holy missionaries who arrived near the Hayle Estuary around 600 AD. From there, they traveled along the waterway to its source at Tregonning Hill, a landmark that likely stood out ... Read more

As I left the serene Germoe Parish Church, I felt a rush of anticipation for my next destination: the Great Work Mine, nestled near the quaint village of Balwest. I entered the narrow Cornish roads, flanked by towering lush green hedgerows that blocked a view of the landscape. These winding paths were so narrow that ... Read more

In January of this year, I had the chance to visit one of my ancestral villages, Germoe, in Cornwall, England. The history of Germoe is closely tied to Germochus, a Celtic king, and his sister Breaca. Both were part of a band of Irish holy missionaries who arrived near the Hayle Estuary around 600 AD. ... Read more