Background Migration over Time: the Irish in mid-Victorian Cornwall

Abstract

The census manuscripts of 1841 and 1851 show that Cornwall was just a way-station for the Irish-born. They came from southern Ireland, put down few local roots and moved on, with only 30 per cent remaining in the county and 15 per cent in the same parish. Few found jobs in agriculture or mining, Cornwall's leading industries. Many were unmarried and, of those who were married, most had English spouses. In 1841 60 per cent of Irish husbands with Irish wives had military or government connections. Perhaps 20 per cent of the Irish-born were not migrants in the usual sense, being visitors, students or the children of English-born parents.