St Ives Genealogical Records

St Ives 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.

Primitive Methodist, St Ives Baptism Registers (1832-1837)

Records of baptism for Primitive Methodist, St Ives between 1832 and 1837. 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.

Wesleyan, St Ives Baptism Registers (1818-1836)

Records of baptism for Wesleyan, St Ives between 1818 and 1836. Details include child's name, parents' names and dates of birth and/or baptism.

St Ives Baptism Registers (1813)

Baptisms records for children living in and around St Ives, detail the names of their parents - their occupations and residence from 1813 to 1813.

Sion Chapel, St Ives Baptism Registers (1792-1837)

Records of baptism for Sion Chapel, St Ives between 1792 and 1837. Details include child's name, parents' names and dates of birth and/or baptism.

St Ives 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.

St Ives Marriage Records (1653-1812)

A searchable transcript of the marriage registers of St Ives. Church marriage registers are the primary source for pre-1837 marriages. They may record the bride and groom's residence, the groom's occupation, parents' names, marital status and witnesses.

St Ives Marriage Registers (1607-1837)

Details on those who married at St Ives between 1607 and 1837. Information given may include parents' names, ages, marital status, abode and more.

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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives Burial Registers (1690-1837)

Burial registers record burials that occurred at St Ives. They are the primary source documenting deaths before 1837, though are useful to the present. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.

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.

St Ives 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 St Ives

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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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 St Ives

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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives Church Records

St Ives Parish Registers (1607-1837)

Documentation for those baptised, married and buried at St Ives. 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 St Ives

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.

St Ives 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.

St Ives 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

St. Ives is a place of great antiquity; deriving its name from Iia, a religious woman, who came hither from Ireland about the year 460. It is now a very populous seaport, containing not less than 3000 inhabitants, very extensively engaged in the pilchard fishery; the corporation consists of a mayor, recorder, twelve capital and twenty-four inferior burgesses, deriving their authority from a charter granted by Charles I. The right of election is possessed by the corporation and all the inhabitants paying scot and lot.

Entering St. Ives from Redruth the town has a very respectable and pleasing appearance: all the houses being handsomely covered with slated roofs, and in general well built; but on descending into the town, we found the streets disagreeably narrow, dirty, irregular, and ill paved.

On the road to St. Ives is a road adjoining to which "are numerous pits and deserted shafts of mines, which renders a journey over this part of the country in the night extremely dangerous. The moor-stone (granite) lies dispersed in detached blocks, many of them huge enough for another Stonehenge; scarcely a shrub appears to diversify the prospect, and the only living beings that inhabit the mountainous parts are the goats, which brows the scanty herbage." St. Ives is a borough town, situated in the Hundred of Penwith, on the west side of a fine bay on the Irish Sea, 277 miles from London.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

ST. IVES is a municipal borough and parish, on the north coast of Cornwall, on the shore of St. Ives bay, and the terminus of the St. Ives branch from St. Erth, of the Great Western railway, 9 miles north-north-east from Penzance, 15 miles west from Redruth, 22 miles west-north-west from Falmouth, 22 miles west-south-west from Truro and 325 from London, in the Western division of the county, hundred of Penwith, petty sessional division of Penwith West, Penzance union and county court district, rural deanery of Penwith, archdeaconry of Cornwall and diocese of Truro. Formerly it was called Porthia, and before the arrival of St. Ia, or Ives, c. 450 A.D. it is said to have been known as Pendinas, from the headland which marked its position. St. Ives is recorded as a borough in 1558, when it was governed by a portreeve and burgesses ; it was first incorporated by Charles I. in 1639, which charter, forfeited in 1685, was renewed by James II. in 1686, and this charter remained in force until modified by the operation of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1835 (5 & 6 Wm. IV. c. 76). The Corporation now consists of a mayor, four aldermen and twelve councillors. The borough returned two members to Parliament from the year 1558 until the passing of the Reform Act of 1832, when it lost one member, and by the Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885, it was deprived of its independent representation and with the district of Penzance and St. Just it now forms the St. Ives or Western division. The borough has a commission of the peace. The town is irregularly built and has very narrow streets, but there are terraces of good private houses and many modern villas, and on entering the town from Hayle the general appearance of the place is charmingly picturesque; it is lighted with gas by a company. By leave of Local Government Board the town council have borrowed £18,500 for the purposes of sewerage and gas and water supply and for the provision of public conveniences. The church of St. Yvo or Ia, is a fine old building of granite, erected in the early part of the 15th century, and consists of chancel, nave, aisles, separated from the nave by arcades of seven arches, south chapel, called the Trenwith aisle, south porch, and an embattled western tower, 84 feet in height, with lofty pinnacles resting on angels, and containing a clock and two bells, cast in 1830: the tower was restored and repointed at a cost of £90 in 1872: in 1853—4 the church was repaired and reseated at an expense of £900, and the chancel restored by the late Nathaniel Pyne esq. as agent of the Earl of Mornington: the curious font of granite was also restored at the same time by J. N. Tremearne esq. at a cost of £30; on its base are four figures of demons, and on the bowl are four other figures representing angels: in 1859 the church was entirely repaved at a cost of £150, defrayed by the late Robert Hichens esq. of London, and in 1887—9 it was new roofed at an outlay of £598 the eagle lectern, copied from that in Wantage church, Berkshire, was presented in 1866 by the Rev. J. B. Jones M.A. the present vicar: the east window is a memorial to members of the family of Stephens, of Tregenna, 1804—35, and there are also memorial windows to the families of Hichens, 1835—64, Yonge, 1888, and Tremearne, 1889: at the east end of the Trenwith aisle is a slate slab, in which have been reset the fragments of a brass to Otho Trenwyth esq. ob. 1462—3, and Agnes his wife; these now include only the kneeling effigy of Dame Agnes and a small figure of St. Michael, bearing a shield with an irradiated cross and vanquishing the dragon; over the head of the saint is a scroll with the invocation, “Sancte Micaell ora pro nobis,” and below the figures an inscription: here is also a brass to the original members of the St. Ives Artillery corps: there are monuments to the Sise family, 1642, and others of more modern date to the families of Stephens, 1729—1852; Hichens, 1770—1851; Hocking, 1800—49; and others: the church will seat 700 persons. The churchyard, which is near the sea, is defended from the waves by a strong and high wall. In the churchyard is an unusually fine cross with a flattened octagonal shaft and a square panelled head carved with a crucifix, over which is a crowned head representing the first person of the Trinity and other subjects; it was discovered in the churchyard in 1832 and is 10 feet 6 inches in height, and in 1852 was re-erected on a new base by Robert Hichens esq. The register dates from the year 1686. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £261, with residence, built in 1840, in the gift of the vicar of Lelant, and held since 1869 by the Rev. John Balmer Jones M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge, hon. canon of Truro and rural dean of Penwith. In connection with the parish church there is a mariners' chapel. The Congregational chapel, formerly belonging to the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion, is in Fore street; it was erected in 1800, and has sittings for 200 persons. The Wesleyan chapel, in Chapel street, is a spacious building, seating 1,000 persons. The Primitive Methodist chapel, in Fore street, erected in 1831, has 800 sittings, and there are smaller chapels at Balnoon and Trevalgen. The Bible Christians’ chapel, in Back road, was erected in 1858, and has 400 sittings. The Methodist New Connexion chapel, in Chapel street, will seat 700 persons. A Cemetery, with two mortuary chapels, was formed in 1855, at a cost of £500, and is managed by a burial board of 9 members. The charities are small. There is a subscription reading and news room, and a masonic lodge, No. 1,272. The Town Hall and meat market, erected in 1832, at a cost of £1,000, is a plain but substantial building. The municipal insignia include two maces, a covered loving cup and a corporate seal; the maces, of silver, form a pair, being exactly alike in every particular, and are 24 inches in length, with plain banded shafts and semi-globular heads, divided into compartments by nude caryatid figures, one compartment containing a branch or tree of ivy, and the rest the inscription “Richard Hickes, Maior of St. Ives, 1639”; the heads are double crested, and on the flat tops are the royal arms between the letters C.R.: the cup of silver-gilt, presented in 1640 by Sir Francis Basset kt. M.P. and recorder of St. Ives, is with the cover 33 inches in height, and is richly chased with foliated work in relief: the open worked spire-like finial of the cover is surmounted by the figure of a man in armour, holding in his right hand a bow, his left resting on a shield bearing the arms of Basset; round the inside of the base is an inscription in six rhyming lines : the circular silver seal, affixed to a handle of curiously blown glass, was given in 1690 by James Praed esq. of Trevester, and displays the borough arms, “arg. an ivy branch vert,” surrounded by scroll work and a legend. A new seal was presented in 1890 by E. Hain, jun. of St. Ives. The Corporation having in 1896 adopted the Free Libraries Act, Mr. J. Passmore Edwards presented the town with a handsome building of stone, to be used as a free library, and it will be furnished and opened in 1897.

The population here are almost entirely dependent on the fishing industry, pilchards and herrings being at times in great abundance: the pilchards are cured and packed in hogsheads, and are chiefly exported to Italy, and the mackerel to supply the London and other markets. Boat building is carried on to some extent; there are also sail and netting manufactories. The only remaining fair is held on the Saturday nearest St. Andrew’s Day. St. Ives bay, which is a creek under Falmouth and a life-boat station, affords excellent shelter, except against north-east gales, which too frequently prove fatal to such vessels as may not be moored within the pier; the harbour is on the east of the promontory terminating in the “Island.” By an Order in Council (1886) the works and property of the St. Ives harbour were vested in the Corporation, who were authorized to borrow £32,000 for purposes of construction; the pier, originally built in 1767—70 at a cost of £10,000, under an Act of Parliament passed in 1767, after a personal survey and report from John Smeaton, the celebrated engineer, of Newcastle, has been repaired and lengthened; a new pier was built in 1894 a cost of £9,000. There is also a pier on wood piles, erected in 1864—6, at a cost of about £15,000, but this is rapidly falling into decay. The construction of a breakwater, begun in 1816, was abandoned after an outlay of £30,000. Adjoining the harbour is Porthminster Cove. The battery of 3 guns on Pendinas, still called the “Island” (although now connected with the other portion of the promontory), has been dismantled and is now used as a coastguard signal station. The building on the site of the ancient chapel of St. Nicholas has been converted into a store house. On a hill southeast of St. Ives is a triangular pyramidical monument, of granite ashlar, the sides of which are each about 25 feet in length; it was erected by John Knill, of St. Ives, and has a receptacle in the basement intended by him for his place of sepulture; on the south side are the words, “Johannes Knill, 1782,” on the east side the inscription “I know tha.m. Redeemer liveth,” and on the third or south-west side the word “Resurgam,” with the arms of Knill: the monument stands on a square platform of granite, and is inclosed with iron railings and gates. Mr. Knill bequeathed certain property and moneys in trust to the mayor, incumbent, and collector of customs at St. Ives, to be expended yearly in a singular and grotesque celebration, which is still strictly observed. Mr. Knill, who eventually became a bencher of Gray’s Inn, died March 29th, 1811, and was buried, not in this mausoleum, but in St. Andrew’s, Holborn. Tregenna Castle, erected about 1773, by Samuel Stephens esq. under the direction of Mr. Wood, architect, of Bath, and for many years the residence and property of the Stephens family, is now an hotel. The principal landowners are Earl Cowley, the Duchess of Cleveland, the Earl of Sandwich, and the Messrs. Bolitho. To the north-east of the parish the soil is composed of compact and slaty felspar rock, traversed by metalliferous veins. The area of the parish is 1,019 acres; rateable value, £16,395 ; the population of the municipal parish and borough in 1891 was 6,094.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of Services

St. Andrew’s Church, Rev. Canon John Balmer Jones M.A. vicar; Rev. Charles Frederick Jones M.A. curate; 8 & 11 a.m. & 3.30 & 6.30 p.m.; daily, morn. & evening.

Mariners’ Mission Chapel, Wharf, 6.30 p.m.; Fri. 7.

Bible Christian, Back rd.; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Tues. 7.

Congregational (Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion), Fore street, Rev. James P. Southwell; 10.45 a.m. & 6 p.m. ; Thur. 7.

Methodist New Connexion, Chapel street, Rev. Samuel Wright; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Mon. 7.

Primitive Methodist, Fore street, Rev. Jas. Crompton; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7.

Wesleyan Methodist, Chapel street, Rev. Samuel R. Wilkins & Rev. Joseph Johns; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Mon. 7.

SCHOOLS

A School Board of 7 members was formed February 7, 1876; H. S. Warren, Bowling Green terrace, clerk to the board; John Stevens, Fore st. attendance officer.

Board (boys, girls & infants), Stennack, erected in 1880, for 850 children; average attendance, 346 boys, 227 girls & 189 infants.

National (mixed), St. Andrew street, for 215 children; average attendance, 116 boys & 84 girls.

Kelly's Directory of Cornwall (1902)

Most Common Surnames in St Ives

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Penwith Hundred
1Stevens3351:1928.32%30
2Quick1811:3640.49%126
3Thomas1681:393.27%2
3Trevorrow1681:3967.20%264
5Richards1451:453.40%3
6Williams1441:452.12%1
7Veal1341:4841.49%204
8Curnow1311:4916.38%56
9Noall1101:5986.61%506
10Bryant1091:5920.80%92
11Berriman941:6934.69%250
12Penberthy931:7038.75%284
13Uren881:749.54%43
14Rowe831:782.21%4
15Martin771:843.16%7
15Cocking771:8418.97%150
17Couch761:8512.93%79
17Paynter761:8530.04%263
17Care761:8559.84%506
20Phillips721:904.35%15
21Pearce701:922.98%9
22Hollow691:9428.51%279
23Perkin671:9743.23%426
24Freeman591:11043.38%477
25Daniel581:11216.91%186
26Hodge531:1226.60%55
27Grenfell501:12916.23%220
28Harry481:13510.19%110
29Woolcock431:1517.98%87
30Lander411:15816.53%268
30Eddy411:1584.10%39
32Jennings401:1629.03%127
32Roach401:16216.06%266
32Gyles401:16295.24%1,240
35Edwards381:1703.57%34
35James381:1701.62%10
35Bennetts381:1704.18%45
38Rosewall371:17546.25%744
38Ninnes371:17575.51%1,106
40Geen361:18094.74%1,326
40Nankervis361:18019.78%367
42Ninnis351:18538.89%665
43Peters331:1964.49%62
43Toman331:19647.83%846
45Barber321:20228.07%559
45Hosking321:2022.23%21
45Craze321:20214.81%310
48Warren291:2233.96%63
48Polmear291:22346.77%924
48Baragwanath291:22363.04%1,154
51Roberts281:2311.14%6
51White281:2312.73%36
51Tanner281:23151.85%1,024
51Beckerleg281:23119.86%460
55Taylor271:2404.11%69
55Hart271:24013.37%334
55Michell271:2403.44%59
58Young261:24917.57%443
58Jacobs261:24923.64%572
60Dunn251:2596.10%146
60Major251:25935.21%828
62Davis241:2705.54%134
62Nicholls241:2701.33%14
62Berryman241:2703.88%74
62Jenkyn241:27023.08%601
62Carbines241:27077.42%1,493
67Harris231:2810.78%5
67Mitchell231:2811.11%12
69Kemp221:2946.79%202
69Anthony221:29426.19%712
69Hocking221:2941.40%17
69Chard221:29422.22%619
69Humphrys221:29429.73%799
69Wearne221:2947.64%233
69Murt221:29456.41%1,303
76King211:3085.37%159
76Welch211:3089.25%296
76Rouse211:30816.67%512
76Lugg211:3087.47%240
76Bamfield211:30838.89%1,024
81Hicks201:3241.25%16
81Andrew201:3241.98%37
81Leddra201:324100.00%1,924
84Davies191:3415.08%169
85Allen181:3601.73%35
85George181:3602.14%50
85Kernick181:36020.69%690
88Clark171:3815.86%229
88Johns171:3810.76%11
88Elliot171:38129.82%982
88Cowling171:3813.43%99
88Jenkin171:3811.10%19
88Martins171:38127.42%924
94Smith161:4051.23%24
94Jones161:4052.30%65
94Wall161:40529.09%1,005
94Webber161:4053.00%90
94Bassett161:4053.50%118
94Peak161:40534.04%1,141
94Wedge161:40525.81%924
94Murrish161:40519.05%712
102Burrell151:43136.59%1,260
102Champion151:4314.13%177
102Paull151:4314.26%185
102Rounsefield151:431100.00%2,231
102Cothey151:431100.00%2,231
107Wallis141:4623.37%141
107Pollard141:4622.71%95
107Hawke141:4621.81%60
107Bawden141:4621.64%48
107Laity141:4623.40%144
107Sisley141:462100.00%2,312
107Chellew141:46212.39%560
107Trevaskis141:46212.39%560
107Renowden141:46243.75%1,460
107Beckerley141:46277.78%2,019
117Langford131:49816.67%762
117Maddern131:4984.64%242
117Bennatts131:498100.00%2,405
120Andrews121:5396.15%348
120Matthews121:5391.05%31
120Hawkins121:5399.30%501
120May121:5390.96%27
120Vincent121:5391.99%75
120Farrell121:53960.00%1,924
120Honey121:5393.56%194
120Hambly121:5392.16%84
120Hain121:53985.71%2,312
120Rashleigh121:53910.17%546
130Bennett111:5880.86%26
130Rogers111:5880.74%20
130Oliver111:5881.25%46
130Best111:5882.39%116
130Hearne111:58864.71%2,089
130Glasson111:5882.80%158
130Bastian111:58810.38%589
130Sandow111:58812.36%677
138John101:64712.20%728
138Beard101:6473.65%247
138Sampson101:6472.15%112
138Stratton101:64733.33%1,522
138Husband101:6475.95%396
138Hendy101:6475.85%390
138Banfield101:6475.78%387
138Scantlebury101:6473.56%240
138Boase101:6476.06%403
138Trewhella101:6474.98%337
138Watty101:64730.30%1,439
138Shugg101:64725.00%1,286
138Docton101:64771.43%2,312
151Cole91:7192.78%202
151Welsh91:71912.50%822
151Nicholas91:7191.34%67
151Luke91:7192.37%165
151Wiles91:71969.23%2,405
151Stoneman91:7197.20%516
151Blewett91:7192.05%131
151Date91:71910.71%712
159Marks81:8092.55%215
159Holman81:8091.83%132
159Broad81:8091.49%88
159Cock81:8090.65%28
159Tonkin81:8090.83%41
159Jago81:8092.24%182
159Brooking81:80910.26%762
159Richens81:80988.89%2,977
159Stibbs81:809100.00%3,182
159Bottrell81:80912.90%924
159Prynne81:80914.55%1,005
159Cogar81:80940.00%1,924
159Saundrey81:80966.67%2,510
159Buglehole81:80944.44%2,019
159Chadford81:809100.00%3,182
159Mettles81:809100.00%3,182
175Adams71:9251.54%122
175Chapman71:9250.84%51
175Gregory71:9252.42%230
175Humphreys71:92519.44%1,366
175Coles71:9259.59%808
175Paul71:9251.76%155
175England71:92522.58%1,493
175Kitchen71:9259.46%799
175Ralph71:9253.20%305
175Abraham71:9257.69%663
175Rowles71:92577.78%2,977
175Comley71:92550.00%2,312
175Warmington71:9257.78%665
175Corin71:9255.00%464
175Heddon71:92524.14%1,560
175Faull71:9255.34%490
175Trewren71:92522.58%1,493
175Nankewis71:925100.00%3,514
193Ellis61:1,0790.89%68
193Murphy61:1,07915.38%1,303
193Read61:1,0796.00%616
193Tucker61:1,0790.92%70
193Morton61:1,07920.69%1,560
193Mathews61:1,0791.32%119
193Lang61:1,0794.26%460
193Hearn61:1,0799.23%884
193Rich61:1,0794.05%443
193Rule61:1,0791.24%106
193Toy61:1,0791.64%173
193Julian61:1,0791.69%183
193Elford61:1,0796.98%695
193Escott61:1,07912.00%1,090
193Lawry61:1,0791.39%136
193Semmens61:1,0791.87%209
193Bosanquet61:1,07940.00%2,231
193Botterell61:1,07917.65%1,412
193Keskeys61:1,07928.57%1,866
193Botterall61:1,07946.15%2,405
193Rouncifield61:1,079100.00%3,835