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"She seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if she had surprised a butterfly in the Winter woods"
(edith wharton)


Wednesday 31 October 2007

the magick of Cornwall (and SOSF thankyou)

'When we know about our ancestors, when we sense them as living and as supporting us, then we feel connected to the genetic life-stream, and we draw strength and nourishment from this' - Philip Carr-Gomm

the more I research and learn about Cornwall, the more enthralled I become... I sit and read about all the magick that is Cornwall and something, deep inside me, stirs and makes me want to cry... and I swear, that the corners of Laura's mouth tip slightly so that it looks like she is smiling at me.. and her wise eyes, encourage me to keep searching.. ... and even though I wasn't born there, I am sure it is my soul's home... it is in my genes - right back to 1408 and probably further back in time....
Laura is my connection to Cornwall... she was my Pa's mother. His name was Percival Arthur Truscott (I wonder if his name was chosen because of a link to Arthurian times?).. she has been guiding me on my family search for sometime and now I have Daisy on the other side helping as well... so I really can't lose.

and as it is Samhain for my friends in the Northern Hemisphere...there is no better time than "Halloween" to tell of my continuing family search...


From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
~ Cornish prayer


I have traced Laura's parents and our family tree - the Tregilgas Family tree back to 1408 and her mother, Elizabeth Curnow's family back to the 16th century - all in Cornwall..
I have had contact with many 'relatives' including a man in Florida who wrote me a letter about the Curnow Family Tree Project and he is willing to help me in my search.... I have relatives in Wales and Scotland... as well as other areas of England... many, many relatives in Cornwall...surnames in my Cornish Family tree include: Wills, Bettens, James, Dawn, Nicholl, Vibert, - this takes us back to the 15th century... anyone think they are related to me ??

I can just see Daisy clapping with glee as she sends all of this information to me!


This morning, I was sitting in my Sacred room, journalling, telling my journal that I was tired of this spiritual quest that I am on.. I wanted a break and I felt an iciness come over me... a true icy cold feeling.. 'Of course!', I thought to myself... 'Samhain' except here we are coming up to Beltane.. then I felt the spirit of my dad, then Daisy and then I saw my great Nan Laura.. who held my hands and pleaded with me not to give up.. she told me, that this search I am on to find my wild woman, to find who I am, is one that I am not only doing for myself but also to my ancestral women... those women who did not have the opportunity that I have... so I continue.

I joined in the Society of Secret faeries seasonal mail gift for Halloween and received mine last week.... I have no idea who sent mine, 'cause it is secret... but I just wanted to say that I loved opening the package.. it came at the right time for me.. some vintage goodies as well as teeny tiny bottle of faery dust which I am sure will come in handy! ... so a big thankyou to my secret faery who ever you are... plus lots of faery magick, blessings & joy being sent to you, on the whispers of the wind.... I loved the faery dust !


20 comments:

Fire Byrd said...

My sister has being researching our family tree, and we have lots of Cornish family in the past, who were all farmers
We also have the name Nicoll in the family.
So who knows where that takes us??
hugs beautiful faery friend
pxx

Sheila said...

You have come a long way in your research Robyn. Isn't it great to feel that link with those who share our bloodlines and went before us.
I'm sure you are not the only wild woman in your family tree..
big hugs
xx

Everydaythings said...

Posting a Halloween BOO to you!!! I am emailing you in private about your family history too....

Suzie Ridler said...

I am so glad that you're on this path of self-discovery and delving into your wild side.

That looks like quite the Halloween treasures.

I know you're celebrating Beltane now, I remembered!

Bimbimbie said...

With all your special family members guiding you on there's no way your interest in Cornwall will wain it's those roots of the DNA Tree*!* Smiles

Leanne said...

Robyn, its interesting that one of your ancestor's name was Elizabeth Curnow...you did know the old name for Cornwall was Kernow?

Leanne x

kathyann said...

Welcome back Robyn, we too have just started to research our family tree ,its fasinating stuff,good luck with yours and I hope you manage to go further back in time,you never know what you will find !love and blessings kathyann(meg's mum's muffins)
ps ,thank you so much for your welcome message to my blog.

Ruth said...

When I was a little girl I knew two sisters called May and Hannah Curnow who lived in Cleator Moor, Cumbria. They were of Cornish stock I think, who had come up to Cumbria to work in the mines. The Cornish names I have found in my family tree so far are Dunstan, Southy and Tallack, but I haven't got very far back.

Anonymous said...

It's great to find your roots !!
I have found my roots uptil 1680.
I want to wish you a blessed Samhain from this side of the world. It's getting darker here, but it has been a lovely day.
I'm looking forward to looking at the moon this night.
Blessings

karoline in the morning said...

i followed a link here from grace's...and i'm thrilled i did..what a luvely blog you have..i certainly will be back..

k:))

Laurie said...

It is a wonderful thing to trace our ancestors and to honor them.
Sending you hugs on this Halloween!

Moonroot said...

Loved reading about your family tree - how amazing to trace so far back. I know it's Beltane in the Southern Hemisphere, but I've awarded you a 'Hallowe'en Sweet Treat Award' for this post (details at my blog).

gma said...

Wonderful intriguing search for your ancestors...I know what you mean about "the something deep inside"...I think Laura wants you to find something!

Julie said...

I knew the "things that go bump in the night" poem but didn't know it was Cornish.

Before I forget, I must tell you how much I love your new banner. It is so YOU.

Julie

A bird in the hand said...

I'm glad to hear you're not giving up, with a little help from Spirit!
I need some faerie dust right now...feeling jaded. It will pass.

xoxo

Naturegirl said...

Wow that family history is most interesting..I have no info on mine..it has been my mother 2 brothers and I...
Ah...what a sweet package and that fairy glitter is the best!!

Sorry it has taken so long to come by but I am taking it easy and there was a HUGE BLOGLANDIA PARTY that I did NOT want to miss!! Perhaps you might still see some of the characters that I met..come by!

I am feeling energy from the healing spirits you have sent my way Robyn..thank you!
Have you seen the post where I posted MY ROBIN! hugs NG

laoi gaul~williams said...

Hey miss*r...i too have been busy and thanks to great grandad's spiritual support this last few days i have found out more than i could ever have imagined!

it is so exciting isn't it?!

so you have traced people to Wales...then i am even more sure our paths have crossed!

Brandi Reynolds said...

it does seem we have much in common. I too have been searching to connect with my ancestors and know what it's like to get so tired of the journey sometimes.

great post!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Robyn,
i live in Hayle Cornwall, my Gt Gt Grandmother was Oearom the Crowan arlivia Bettens, does she show up in your tree? The family came from the Crowan area.
Good luck in your quest.

An Gàidheal Pàganach said...

Did you know that there are courses available where you can learn to speak Cornish? Warlinnen has a host of resources you can plunder.