Michael T Kiernan

A Cornish Colony in Mexico Michael T Kiernan

The connection between the two countries of Mexico and Cornwall is remarkable. In numerical terms, Mexico is not a destination which involved great numbers of the Cornish diaspora, the USA and Australia and, to a lesser extent, South Africa have a far more expansive story to tell. Mexico is a complex country with a different language, society and religion and, importantly, with no connections with the Colonies and Empire of Britain yet the bonds between the two countries have endured for almost 200 years. My first objective is to provide a record of the 'footsteps' of the Cornish in Mexico, some of which are slowly disappearing. This will be found partly in those chapters of this book that record Cornish/Mexican burial grounds that are, or have been lost, especially those in Mexico City. A second objective was to seek out activities of the Cornish that have not been recorded before. For instance, the findings set out in Chapter 2 illustrate how I believe the Cornish Methodists achieved a unique first in Mexico. I also found it necessary to try and search out the Cornish who were present in Mexico but not based in the towns of Pachuca and Real del Monte in Hidalgo State. Mexico is a vast country and I know there are still histories to be unearthed. Many of Cornish descent (in both countries) are reconstructing their family histories. My third objective was therefore to provide family information gleaned from both Cornish and Mexican archives. It is not possible to set out in a work of this nature all the information available, but perhaps some of my findings may advance those researches. Sadly, I am sure that I have made mistakes and so all my conclusions should be verified. In the final chapter I do try to include a general picture of the effect upon Cornwall of the Mexican connection, and the Cornish diaspora in general. In particular the impact upon those 'left behind' and family life.