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Where did your ancestors live - South-West - Penzance

 

Below is some genealogy information and websites about the history and social geography of Penzance.

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Description: Located in Cornwall, Penzance sits on the south coast of England. Traditionally an important town in Cornwall for it's fishing and it's mining and coinage of tin, its small drydock and foundries encouraged steamer repairs to be made and for them to stop there during the early part of the 1800s. In 1801 it's population was 2,248. Penzance was connected to the rail network in 1852. This allowed growth of both agriculture and fishing as fresh produce could reach more markets. Prices increased as a result providing wealth for the area. Brocolli, potatoes, fish, fruit and flowers were the main exports. The Scilly Isles Steam Navigation Company was founded in Penzance in 1858 and the West Cornwall Steam Ship Company in 1870. In 1866, a depot for Trinity House was opened, which maintained all the local lighthouses. In 1901 the population of Penzance had increased a little to 3,088 although it was actually in decline, having peaked in 1861 at 3,843. In 1912, Penzance had the largest tin smelting house in Cornwall. Banking followed with the owners of the smelting business, Bolitho, setting up a bank of the same name. After the 1920s, population continued to increase reaching over 5,000 by 1951.

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