In the second series of A Feminist Family History, Dr Kate Carruthers Thomas shares insights into her research on three generations of the Kelynack family of Newlyn, Cornwall, spanning three generations from 1860 to 1950. She highlights how social, economic, and gender roles evolved within a changing community, emphasising women's experiences and family dynamics.

There's a family tree at Series 2 - A Feminist Family History in Three Generations

Departures

Discover the stories of emigration within the Kelynack family, exploring why they left Cornwall, their destinations, and the experiences they encountered seaborne and on arrival. This episode also delves into the broader context of Cornwall’s emigration history, gender roles, and the impacts on those left behind.

In this episode:

The long history of Cornish emigration since the 18th centuryPush and pull factors

Personal stories:

• Joshua Kelynack emigrates to South Africa in 1902 and Lois Pollard follows him to Cape Town in 1904
• William Kelynack emigrates to the United States in 1923 and returns to marry his wife Annie in 1929. The couple return to Detroit.

The impact of emigration on families, communities, and Cornwall itself

Key Sources:

Cornish carols: Heritage in California and South Australia | Institute of Cornish Studies | University of Exeter

Cornish diaspora - Wikipedia

The Cornish Diaspora | Institute of Cornish Studies | University of Exeter

Cornish Mining in Australia - Cornish Mining World Heritage Site

Detroit History | City of Detroit

District Six, Cape Town | South African History Online

Ford Highland Park Plant | Detroit Historical Society

History Of The White Star Line | Historic Denver/Molly Brown House Museum

International Pasty Festival - Wikipedia

''Nineteenth-Century British Female Emigration Societies''

Solnit, R. (2011) A Book of Migrations. London: Verso.

The Cornishman (newspaper) - Wikipedia

The Great Migration (1910-1970) | National Archives

Union-Castle Line - Wikipedia