Looe Genealogical Records

Looe Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Looe Baptism Registers (1846-1849)

Baptism registers record the baptism of those born in and around Looe and were subsequently baptised in an Anglican place of worship. They are the primary source of birth details before 1837, though are useful to the present. Records can include name of child, parents' names, residence, occupations and more.

Wesleyan Chapel, Looe Baptism Registers (1815-1836)

Records of baptism for Wesleyan Chapel, Looe between 1815 and 1836. Details include child's name, parents' names and dates of birth and/or baptism.

Independent, Looe Baptism Registers (1776-1836)

Records of baptism for Independent, Looe between 1776 and 1836. Details include child's name, parents' names and date of birth and/or baptism. Records may also include parent's occupations, residence, place of origin and more.

Looe Baptism Records (1709-1807)

A searchable transcript of the baptism registers of Looe. They list parents' names - their occupations, residence and sometimes other details.

Looe Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Cornwall Parish Registers (1538-2010)

Browsable images of Church of England baptism, marriage and burial registers for the county of Cornwall.

Cornwall Parish Marriages (1537-1925)

A searchable database containing over 300,000 marriages from Anglican churches in Cornwall.

Cornwall Banns Records (1654-1914)

A searchable database containing over 50,000 records recording intention to marry from Anglican churches in Cornwall.

Vicar General’s Office Marriage Licences (1600-1679)

Abstracts of marriage licences granted by the Vicar-General in London. These licences could be used to marry in any church in the Province of Canterbury.

Looe Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Cornwall Burial Transcripts (1603-1837)

Transcriptions of burials from 215 parishes in Cornwall.

Cornwall Parish Registers (1538-2010)

Browsable images of Church of England baptism, marriage and burial registers for the county of Cornwall.

Cornwall Parish Burials (1538-1939)

A searchable database containing over 900,000 burials from Anglican churches in Cornwall.

Cornwall Parish Registers (1538-2010)

Browsable images of Church of England baptism, marriage and burial registers for the county of Cornwall.

Looe Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Cornwall Hearth and Poll Taxes (1660-1664)

Transcripts of surviving returns of heath and poll taxes for the county of Cornwall.

Cornwall Protestation Returns (1642)

A searchable transcript of documents signed or marked by people swearing to uphold the reformed protestant religion.

Cornwall Hearth Tax (1664)

An index to documents recording residents liable to pay tax based on the number of hearths they possessed.

Newspapers Covering Looe

Western Morning News (1894-1950)

A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.

Cornishman (1878-1950)

A newspaper including local news, family notices etc. from across the county of Cornwall.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Daily Telegrams (1869-1870)

A short regional paper covering local occurrences, business news, family notices and more.

Lake's Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser (1858-1870)

A regional newspaper including news from the Cornwall area, family announcements, business notices, advertisements, legal & governmental proceedings and more.

Western Times (1827-1950)

A liberal newspaper covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It includes family notices.

Looe Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Devon Wills Index (1163-1999)

An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.

Exeter Diocese & Archdeaconry Probate & Admons (1540-1799)

An index to thousands of probates and administrations granted by the Diocese and Archdeaconry of Exeter, covering parts of Devon & Cornwall.

Archdeaconry of Cornwall Probate & Admon Index (1569-1799)

A searchable index to surviving wills and administrations proved in the Connotorial Archidiaconal Court of Cornwall. The index contains the name of the testator, residence and date & type of grant.

Cornish Wills (1561-1930)

An index to some Cornish wills. Names of beneficiaries have been extracted.

Looe Immigration & Travel Records

Cornish Emigrants to Latin America (1790-1920)

A database containing genealogical, biographical and immigratory data for Cornish men who emigrated to Latin America.

Cornish Emigrants (1785-1941)

Extracts from passenger lists, detailing the emigration and transportation of people from Cornwall, primarily to the New World and British colonies.

Cornish in Latin America (1815-1920)

Historical details of the Cornish migration to Latin America.

Cornwall Strays (1770-2000)

An index of Cornish men an women who died out of county.

Cornwall Settlements & Removals (1698-1862)

Abstracts of documents recording the forced movement of people and families between parishes.

Looe Military Records

Muster Rolls of Cornwall (1569)

Extracts from records listing those liable for militia service. Details of arms have been transcribed.

Conrwall WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Cornwall, with some service details.

Conrwall WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Cornwall, with some service details.

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

Cornwall Protestation Returns (1642)

A searchable transcript of documents signed or marked by people swearing to uphold the reformed protestant religion.

Cornwall Inmates (1821-1921)

Abstracts of documents recording people incarcerated in Cornwall. Index may include name, age, abode, occupation, crimes and numerous other details.

Cornwall Archdeaconry Court Calendar (1672-1842)

An index to defamation, divorce & alimony, marriage contract and church rate records in Cornwall Archdeaconry.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Cornish Court Depositions (1602-1680)

A handful of names, with ages, occupations and abodes appearing in depositions in various courts.

Looe Taxation Records

Cornwall Hearth and Poll Taxes (1660-1664)

Transcripts of surviving returns of heath and poll taxes for the county of Cornwall.

Cornwall Hearth Tax (1664)

An index to documents recording residents liable to pay tax based on the number of hearths they possessed.

Cornwall Land Records (1799-1873)

An index to land tax records and the 1873 landowners return from Cornwall.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Looe Land & Property Records

Cornwall Land Records (1799-1873)

An index to land tax records and the 1873 landowners return from Cornwall.

Cornwall Voters Lists (1657-1867)

Extracts from lists recording those eligible to vote. Index contains place of residence and entitlement to vote.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Looe Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Cornwall (1939)

An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.

Kelly's Directory Cornwall (1914)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Cornwall (1910)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Cornwall (1906)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Cornwall (1902)

A directory of residents and businesses; with a description of each settlement, containing details on its history, public institutions, churches, postal services, governance and more.

Looe Cemeteries

Cornwall Monumental Inscriptions (1131-2007)

An index to vital details engraved on over 300,000 gravestones and other monuments across the county of Cornwall.

Cornish Cemetery Index (1770-2000)

An index to almost 20,000 gravestones, with extracted details.

Cornwall Memorial Inscriptions (1512-Present)

An index to monuments recording deaths, such as gravestones, with some transcriptions and abstracts of memorials.

Cornwall Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Cornwall's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Looe Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Looe Histories & Books

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Magna Britannia: Cornwall (1066-1814)

A general and parochial history of the county, with sections for each parish.

Cornwall Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Cornwall.

Cornwall Turnpikes (1754-Present)

A history of turnpikes and tollhouses in Cornwall. Includes profiles of individual turnpikes.

Cornwall Church Histories (930-Present)

Histories of parish churches in Cornwall. Includes some photographs.

Looe School & Education Records

Cornwall School Admissions (1874-1927)

A database of children admitted to Cornwall schools. The index contains the name(s) of parents and guardians. Original records will contain further details.

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Looe Occupation & Business Records

Women in Cornwall & Devon Mines (1770-1920)

Background information on women employed by the mining industry in Devon & Cornwall. Includes a database of over 25,000 women and oral histories.

Cornwall Apprentice Indentures (1715-1845)

An index of documents recording the apprenticeship of children to a master. Original records usually contain ages and names of relatives.

Smuggling on the South West Coast (1675-1879)

An introduction to smuggling in Devon, Cornwall & the Bristol district.

Cornwall Pub Histories (1820-Present)

Histories of Cornwall pubs, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

South England Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the south of England.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Looe

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Looe Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitations of Cornwall: 1530, 1573 & 1619 (1000-1619)

Three books recording the lineage, marriage and collateral lines of Cornish families. Compiled form 16th and 17th century genealogical manuscripts, these works contain biographical and heraldic information.

Cornwall Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Cornwall's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Visitation of England and Wales (1700-1899)

Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.

Looe Church Records

Looe Parish Registers (1846-1849)

Documentation for those baptised, married and buried at Looe. Parish registers can assist tracing a family back numerous generations.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Cornwall Protestation Returns (1642)

A searchable transcript of documents signed or marked by people swearing to uphold the reformed protestant religion.

Cornwall Parish Registers (1538-2010)

Browsable images of Church of England baptism, marriage and burial registers for the county of Cornwall.

Cornwall Parish Registers (1538-2010)

Browsable images of Church of England baptism, marriage and burial registers for the county of Cornwall.

Biographical Directories Covering Looe

Latin-Cornish Biographies (1771-1830)

Biographies of Cornish men who emigrated to Latin America.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Looe Maps

Maps of Cornwall (1576-1900)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Looe Reference Works

Cornish Surnames (1998)

Short descriptions of Cornish surnames, with details of their prevalence.

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

Historical Description

East and West Looe, so called from their situation on the east side of the river Looe, are inconsiderable places, supported chiefly by the pilchard fishery.

West Looe, which is also called Port Pigham, holds the manor of the duchy at the rent of 24s. per annum. It formerly had a chapel of ease to the parish of Talland, but this has been converted into a town-hall, and the inhabitants go to Talland to church. In West Looe there is about 100 houses; and the population of both towns about 1000.

Sir Harry Trelawney has a small tract of land opposite the mouth of the river Looe, called Looe Island, chiefly inhabited by various kind of sea-fowl, who come there in the spring to breed in the rocks. There was formerly a chapel dedicated to St. George, upon this island, of which the foundations only remain.

The seats in this neighbourhood worthy of notice are, Colonel Lemon's at Polvellan, to the north of West Looe, commanding a beautiful view over the confluence of the Looe and Trelawny rivers, whose winding and picturesque course, for a considerable distance, is seen from the house. Trelawny-House, about three miles from the river Looe, is a venerable mansion, probably built in the reign of queen Elizabeth, and belonging to the Trelawney family. The scenes about this seat, particularly the valley of Trelawn Mill, are, perhaps, the most beautiful in Cornwall.

Between East Looe and St Germain's is Hake, the seat of Sir Lionel Copley, Bart, pleasantly situated about three miles from the sea. There is also in this neighbourhood a fine old seat of the Buller family, called Morvai, which is said to have been the birthplace of the late Judge Buller.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

LOOE, EAST, formerly a borough, is an ancient town in a beautiful position on the east side of a wide creek or estuary in a bay on the south coast, and well sheltered by lofty hills; it is the terminus of the Looe and Caradon railway, and is 7 miles south-west from Menhenhiot station on the Cornwall (Great Western) railway, 8 south from Liskeard, 14 west from Plymouth and 231 from London, in the South Eastern division of the county, hundred of West, petty sessional division of West, Liskeard union and county court district, rural deanery of West, archdeaconry of Bodmin and diocese of Truro. An Act was obtained in 1895 for a junction at Liskeard of the Liskeard and Looe railway with the Great Western system. The new line is to commence at Coombe, 6 ½ miles from Looe, and 130 feet above sea level, proceeding thence by a loop running round the hill sides, and rising at an average grade of 1 in 45 to an altitude of 340 feet above sea level to the junction at Liskeard. East Looe is separated from West Looe by a creek, running inland for miles, formerly crossed by a narrow bridge of 15 arches, supposed to have been constructed, in the reign of Edward III. ; but this having fallen into decay, a stone bridge of 9 arches was erected in 1853, at a cost of £2,984, defrayed principally by the county, the Harbour Commissioners contributing £1,000. There is an excellent harbour, with quays, to which vessels of large tonnage can be brought up for the shipment of ore and granite, conveyed here by the Looe and Caradon railway, and hence exported; but since the mines with one exception have ceased to work, little or no ore has been exported, but large quantities of coal are sent from Looe to the Liskeard districts by the railway; coal, building material, timber, deals, flooring, scantling, manure and limestone are the materials imported yearly; this, with the exportation of corn and the fishing and fish curing, forms the staple business of the town. The town is lighted with gas, first introduced in 1866, the gas works being at some little distance north of the town, on the river. East Looe, as a parliamentary borough, returned two members until its disfranchisement by the Reform Act of 1832 : it was first incorporated by Queen Elizabeth in 1587, and other charters were subsequently granted by James I. and James II. ; the corporation consisting of a mayor, 12 capital burgesses, a number of free burgesses, recorder, town clerk and subordinate officers, and holding two court-leets in the year, but by the Municipal Act, 1883 (46 and 47 Viet. cap. 18), the jurisdiction of the courts was abolished, the place ceased to be a corporate town and the corporation was dissolved: all corporate property was then vested in the Charity Commissioners, who appointed “The East Looe Town Trust,” consisting of 5 co-optative and 6 representative trustees as administrators of the property of the late corporation and of the waterworks. East and West Looe form unitedly a distinct ecclesiastical parish. The church of St. Anne is a building of limestone, in the Gothic style of the 13th century, with arcades of Late Perpendicular work, and was erected in 1882—3 on the site of the old chapel (itself rebuilt in 1805) at a cost of £2,500 : it consists of apsidal chancel, nave, north aisle, vestry, north and west porches and a low embattled western tower containing a clock and one bell, cast in 17,00: the interior is mostly of Ipplepen stone, the columns of the arcade of brown Portland stone and the detached shafts of polished Cornish marble: the reredos, of Beer stone and alabaster, was executed by Hems, of Exeter, in 1893: the five windows in the apse are stained, three having been erected by Mrs. Bishop, in memory of her husband, one by R. A. Peter esq. to his uncle, and the other by James Medland esq. to his wife: the Hearle family have also placed a memorial window in the nave, and on the south side is another, erected in 1884 to John and Eulalia Richards : the stained west window was inserted in 1893 as a memorial to Mrs. Bishop : the circular window in the north aisle was given by the architect: there are 360 sittings. The register of baptisms dates from the year 1710 ; records of marriages and burials were formerly incorporated in the registers of St. Martin’s-by-Looe, which date from 1653; and burials from East Looe still take place there. The living is a vicarage, with Wast Looe annexed, joint net yearly value £164, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Truro, and held since 1896 by the Rev. Austin Leland Browne B.A. of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford. There are Free Methodist and Wesleyan Methodist chapels. The Guildhall, in Fore street, is a building of stone, erected in 1877, with a tower containing a clock with four dials, placed in 1880: the interior is adorned with a number of stained windows, and contains suites of rooms, a concert room, police cells and the usual offices: the insignia of the late corporation, now kept in the Guildhall, consist of two maces and a borough seal; there are also five large china punch bowls and ladles, the hats and cloaks worn by the sergeants-at-mace, and four constables’ staves, each nearly 7 feet long; the maces, of silver-gilt, 17 ½ inches in length, form a pair; the shafts, enriched with foliage and scroll-work, are clasped midway by a plain banding, and the foot-knops bear a representation of the borough seal and the arms of Trelawny and Seymour, for Sir Jonathan Trelawny bart. and Mary (Seymour), his wife (17th century), were the probable donors; the heads are adorned with the national emblems, each between the initials “C.R.” and finished with a cresting of crosses and fleurs-de-lis, and on the flat tops are the royal arms; the seal is of latten brass and exhibits the device of a single-masted ship, with turrets and a crew of two men; the punch bowls, which bear a view of the old Looe bridge, the arms of the Buller family and an inscription, appear to have been presented by John Buller esq. M.P. for East Looe; the ladles have silver bowls, also with the Buller arms and the hall-marks of 1795—6, and silver-mounted handles of twisted whalebone: the space in front of the Town hall is inclosed by ornamental railings. The Mechanics’ Institute, established in 1845, has a hall, built in 1847, and a library of about 400. volumes. There is also a Freemasons’ Lodge, “St. Anne’s,” No. 970. A life-boat, provided by the National Life-boat Institution, was stationed here in 1866: the new life-boat, called “the Boys’ Own No. 1,” was presented in 1882; the boat house, with offices, is near the quay. East and West Looe are remarkable for their healthiness and the longevity of the inhabitants; the sheltered position, mild climate and beautiful scenery of East Looe render it quite a popular watering place, and visitors from all parts reside here during the summer months; in consequence, many improvements have been made of late years. A market is held on Wednesday and Saturday; the cattle fairs formerly held here in February and October are now obsolete. The Speccott and Buller charities, producing £47 yearly, are for educational purposes ; Trelaiwny’s charity, of £4 yearly, and the Thomas Bond charity, of £3 12s. are distributed in money by the chairman of the trustees; the Cole and Elphinstone charity was founded in 1852, and amounts to £24 yearly. A short distance south-west of the shore is Looe island, about half-a-mile in circumference, the property of Sir William Lewis Salusbury-Trelawny bart. and formerly extra-parochial. Rateable value, £3,597; the population of East Looe in 1891 was 1,419.

A School Board of 7 members was formed June 22, 1871, for the united district of East & West Looe; Edward Pengelly, Mount Pleasant, clerk to the board; William Vincent, West Looe, attendance officer.

Board School, Looe West, built in 1875, at a cost of £1,127, for 200 boys, 160 girls & 150 infants; average attendance, 150 boys, 115 girls & 130 infants; a new class room was added in 1893.

Martin's four-horse coach leaves East Looe for Menheniot station at 8.10 a.m. to meet 9.32 a.m. up train; & returns to Looe after 5.45 p.m. down train & 4.50 p.m. up, & is worked to suit alterations in train service .

Kelly's Directory of Cornwall (1902)

LOOE, WEST, is a town separated by a creek from East Looe, about 7 miles south-west from Menheniot station on the Great Western railway, 8 south from Liskeard and 14 west of Plymouth, in the South Eastern division of the county, hundred and petty sessional division of West, Liskeard union and county court district, rural deanery of West, archdeaconry of Bodmin and diocese of Truro. It was originally a borough and returned two members to Parliament, until disfranchised by the Reform Act of 1832. West Looe was incorporated by a charter of Queen Elizabeth, dated 14th of Feb. 1574, and the corporation existed in an attenuated form until 1869, when it became extinct. This is one of the places in the second part of the second schedule to the Municipal Corporation Act, 1883 (46 and 47 Vic. cap. 18), mentioned in paragraph 16 of the report of the Commissioners of 1876, as having had a corporation in 1835, but by this Act the corporation was abolished and the corporate property is now administered by trustees, elected by the ratepayers, under the direction of the Charity Commissioners. The insignia of the dissolved corporation, now in possession of the Hearle family, descendants of Joseph Hearle esq. the last mayor, consist of two maces and a corporate seal: the larger of the two maces, 21 inches in length, is of silver-gilt, and appears to have been presented by Major-Gen. Charles Trelawny M.P. East Looe, 1685—98, and some time governor of Plymouth; the shaft is plain, with two bandings and a spreading foot-plate, exhibiting the town seal: the head is ornamented with the national emblems, surrounded by foliage and scroll work, and finished with a cresting, from which springs an open-arched crown; on the flat top are the royal arms. The smaller mace, also of silver-gilt, and 20 inches in length, closely resembles the preceding, for which it served as a model, but the royal arms under the crown are those of the Stuart sovereigns: the staff bears the Trelawny arms, and the crest of the Seymours, with the words, “Henricus Seymor, Armiger,” probably 2nd son of Sir Edward Seymour bart. and groom of the bedchamber to Charles II.; the seal, of brass, exhibits the figure of a man in Jacobean costume, armed, and having round his neck a double chain, from which depends a small mace, and surrounding it the legend, “† POR*TV*AN*OTHER* WYS*CALLED*WESTLO.” West Lope has been sewered and supplied with water under the direction of Mr. E.

Appleton C.E. East and West Looe form unitedly a distinct ecclesiastical parish; constituted June 30, 1845. The church of St. Nicholas is a building of stone in mixed styles, consisting of chancel, nave, north aisle, and a western turret containing a clock and one bell: the church was for a long period used as a guildhall, and next for a schoolroom, but was restored to its original use in 1852, and refitted in 1862: there is one stained lancet window representing St. Nicholas: the arcade is constructed of oak, apparently ship timber: there are 150 sittings. The living is a vicarage annexed to East Looe, joint net yearly value £164, in the gift of the Bishop of Truro, and held since 1880 by the Rev. Austin Leland Browne B.A. of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, who resides at East Looe. The Congregationalists were first established at Looe in 1771; the present chapel is a neat building of Liskeard stone, with granite dressings, in the Geometrical Gothic style, erected in 1880 at a cost of £1,020; the interior is surrounded with galleries on three sides, and at the north end is a stained window, given by John Freeman Norris esq. of East Looe: there are 370 sittings. Here is also a Bible Christians’ chapel, erected in 1889. There are reading rooms and a reference library on the Quay. The Hannafore West Estate of 35 acres is laid out in 130 plots for building seaside residences. The Coast Guard station, erected in 1892—3, is a building of stone, consisting of eight dwellings. The market house, built in 1853, is an octagonal building with a bell-turret, in the centre of the town. A market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and a pleasure fair on 6th May. The poor have £4 yearly, distributed in money, from the Trelawny charity of East Looe; rateable value, £2,161; the population in 1891 was 1,011.

This place is included in the East and West Looe United School Board district; the children attend the Board school at West Looe.

Kelly's Directory of Cornwall (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Looe

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in West Hundred
1Pengelly871:1516.20%89
2Toms551:2413.29%143
3Soady321:4227.35%548
4Dan281:4896.55%1,560
5Shapcott241:56100.00%1,723
6Hicks231:581.44%16
7Hoskin211:644.28%102
8Pearce201:670.85%9
9Fletcher191:7150.00%1,326
9Little191:7118.10%594
9Davey191:711.47%25
12Prynn181:7525.35%828
12Skentlebury181:7564.29%1,592
14Walters171:795.40%212
15Bowden161:843.13%96
16Cook151:893.69%149
17Hill141:961.16%29
17Moore141:965.02%243
17Collins141:961.47%42
17Olver141:963.47%152
17Clogg141:9633.33%1,240
17Angear141:9646.67%1,522
23Smith131:1031.00%24
23Taylor131:1031.98%69
23Cox131:1036.91%360
23Butters131:10335.14%1,346
27Crocker121:1123.11%162
28Snell111:1221.56%64
28Painter111:12212.79%695
28Dingle111:1222.33%109
28Pearn111:1224.58%284
28Bettison111:12214.29%774
33Thomas101:1340.19%2
33Martin101:1340.41%7
33Crabb101:1347.25%470
33Blight101:1342.39%139
33Jago101:1342.80%182
33Menhenick101:13425.00%1,286
33Skentlebery101:134100.00%2,793
40Richards91:1490.21%3
40Jeffery91:1491.53%78
40Willcocks91:1496.92%496
43Lane81:1683.23%268
43Nicholas81:1681.19%67
43Hocking81:1680.51%17
43Coad81:1682.36%193
43Rapson81:1684.37%366
43Tambling81:16811.27%828
43Lameston81:168100.00%3,182
50Anderson71:19221.88%1,460
50Chapman71:1920.84%51
50Haines71:19270.00%2,793
50Symons71:1920.52%23
50Fisk71:19250.00%2,312
50Pape71:19270.00%2,793
50Congdon71:1922.43%233
50Trevett71:19250.00%2,312
50Scantlebury71:1922.49%240
50Crapp71:1924.35%412
50Rowett71:1925.83%537
50McCreedy71:192100.00%3,514
62Simpson61:22414.63%1,260
62Marshall61:2241.24%104
62West61:2242.49%281
62Oliver61:2240.68%46
62Bartlett61:2241.51%154
62Best61:2241.30%116
62Blackmore61:2249.84%934
62Bristow61:22485.71%3,514
62Jenkin61:2240.39%19
62Langdon61:2242.54%291
62Starling61:224100.00%3,835
62Warne61:2241.50%153
62Daw61:2243.14%354
62Peter61:2245.61%584
62Meech61:22437.50%2,149
77Bennett51:2680.39%26
77Hunter51:26833.33%2,231
77Parsons51:2680.86%80
77Rowe51:2680.13%4
77Reeves51:26838.46%2,405
77Potts51:26883.33%3,835
77Roe51:26841.67%2,510
77Sargeant51:26820.83%1,723
77Philp51:2681.01%101
77Bawden51:2680.59%48
77Jane51:2681.08%114
77Mallet51:26818.52%1,619
77Poad51:2685.56%665
77Ough51:2684.95%614
77Hunking51:26810.20%1,106
77Southeron51:268100.00%4,258
77Clinock51:268100.00%4,258
77Herricane51:268100.00%4,258
95Lee41:3351.67%284
95Stevens41:3350.34%30
95Lucas41:3351.83%309
95Giles41:3351.10%177
95Thorne41:3357.69%1,057
95Walter41:33510.26%1,303
95Alford41:3354.76%712
95Hosking41:3350.28%21
95Couch41:3350.68%79
95Truscott41:3350.51%58
95Martins41:3356.45%924
95Roose41:3354.44%665
95McConnel41:335100.00%4,784
95Saunder41:33566.67%3,835
95Wilce41:3358.16%1,106
95Holten41:33514.29%1,592
95Wynhall41:335100.00%4,784
95Sambels41:33566.67%3,835
95Trevellion41:335100.00%4,784
95Wynhal41:335100.00%4,784
95Scentlebury41:335100.00%4,784
116Brown31:4470.26%32
116Barber31:4472.63%559
116Stephens31:4470.13%8
116Nichols31:4472.29%490
116Andrew31:4470.30%37
116Johns31:4470.13%11
116Everett31:44721.43%2,312
116Styles31:44775.00%4,784
116Mutton31:4470.78%161
116Wilcocks31:4475.88%1,069
116Clemens31:4471.15%258
116Pinch31:4471.71%382
116Treagus31:447100.00%5,435
116Isbell31:44712.00%1,691
116Fishley31:44713.04%1,773
116Tregenna31:44710.00%1,522
116Cunday31:44742.86%3,514
116Hamly31:44750.00%3,835
116Solt31:44750.00%3,835
135Allen21:6710.19%35
135Palmer21:6710.81%268
135Howard21:6712.60%774
135Harding21:6711.04%352
135Gill21:6710.33%77
135Curtis21:6710.43%111
135Sanders21:6710.40%97
135Hooper21:6710.18%33
135Welsh21:6712.78%822
135Pollard21:6710.39%95
135Milner21:671100.00%6,123
135Fielding21:67120.00%2,793
135Withers21:67111.76%2,089
135Livingstone21:671100.00%6,123
135Hendy21:6711.17%390
135Cocking21:6710.49%150
135Uren21:6710.22%43
135Lethbridge21:67110.00%1,924
135Lidstone21:67116.67%2,510
135Hosken21:6710.71%236
135Giddy21:6712.99%870
135Clemo21:6710.99%330
135Edey21:67125.00%3,182
135Hender21:6711.90%594
135Stranger21:67120.00%2,793
135Roseveare21:6711.92%601
135Kerswill21:67133.33%3,835
135Hoblyn21:6713.77%1,040
135Ead21:6714.65%1,218
135Poat21:67118.18%2,635
135Debell21:671100.00%6,123
135Heans21:67150.00%4,784
135Jollif21:67120.00%2,793
135Tregillas21:67166.67%5,435
135Goodeneough21:671100.00%6,123
135Bedison21:671100.00%6,123
135Yewem21:671100.00%6,123
172Williams11:1,3410.01%1
172Evans11:1,3410.19%93
172Hughes11:1,3411.28%762
172Powell11:1,3410.56%378
172Saunders11:1,3410.51%346
172Matthews11:1,3410.09%31
172Stone11:1,3410.30%195
172Cross11:1,3411.52%878
172Freeman11:1,3410.74%477
172May11:1,3410.08%27
172Nicholls11:1,3410.06%14
172Heath11:1,3411.37%808
172McFarlane11:1,34150.00%6,123
172Bryant11:1,3410.19%92
172Webber11:1,3410.19%90
172Wills11:1,3410.10%38
172Swan11:1,3413.45%1,560
172Metcalfe11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Salter11:1,3411.96%1,069
172Arthur11:1,3410.27%169
172Stephen11:1,3419.09%2,635
172Penny11:1,3411.18%707
172Amos11:1,34150.00%6,123
172Caldwell11:1,3419.09%2,635
172East11:1,34150.00%6,123
172Wilcock11:1,3412.86%1,393
172Bennet11:1,3412.86%1,393
172Ferris11:1,3411.10%663
172Batten11:1,3410.30%196
172Jay11:1,3411.43%837
172Gifford11:1,3414.76%1,866
172Abrahams11:1,34110.00%2,793
172Ham11:1,3410.27%172
172Westlake11:1,3410.64%422
172Dann11:1,34116.67%3,835
172Hawke11:1,3410.13%60
172Vivian11:1,3410.19%94
172Cory11:1,3410.48%322
172Sandy11:1,3411.39%822
172Body11:1,3410.56%374
172Hambly11:1,3410.18%84
172Carne11:1,3410.27%176
172Arscott11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Warn11:1,3411.27%752
172Geach11:1,3410.39%260
172Benny11:1,3410.64%422
172Conning11:1,34111.11%2,977
172Copplestone11:1,3412.56%1,303
172Stripp11:1,34116.67%3,835
172Lapthorn11:1,34133.33%5,435
172Willocks11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Pomery11:1,3411.35%799
172Cranch11:1,34150.00%6,123
172Minards11:1,3414.76%1,866
172Tamblin11:1,3411.28%762
172Pasco11:1,3415.26%1,967
172Gaskel11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Stivey11:1,34112.50%3,182
172Pederick11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Gumb11:1,34111.11%2,977
172Habbott11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Stidson11:1,34125.00%4,784
172Traver11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Leadstone11:1,34150.00%6,123
172Gleddon11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Snel11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Skentelbury11:1,34114.29%3,514
172Betison11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Douvill11:1,341100.00%7,242
172Jellam11:1,341100.00%7,242