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Archiver > CORNISH > 1997-09 > 0873244821


From: "John R. Heydt" <>
Subject: Cornish American Heritage Society (CAHS)
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 20:00:21 -0400


Hi All,
Recently I answered a note on here and gave information to her about the
Cornish American Heritage Society (CAHS) a group of close to 500 (and
growing daily) North Americans. I offered her a copy of its newsletter,
"Tam Kernewek" if she would send me her snail mail address. She and 3
others all sent their addresses requesting copies.
I'd be happy to send you a copy of a TK if you'd like to see something of
what CAHS is all about. We sponsor a biennial Gathering of Cornish
Cousins, having recently (Jul-Aug) held the 4 day event in Ely, MN. It was
WONderful! There were people there from all over the US and Canada,
Cornwall and parts of England. We had Cornish musicians, actors, speakers
and Moira Tangye was there to represent the Cornish-American Connection.
We had lots of talented Cornish descendants there from this side of the
Atlantic, too. There were 27(I think) workshops on crafts, pasty-making,
local history, dancing, singing (folk, fun and choral), genealogy and other
topics. There were over 300 people there all talking with one another a
mile a minute about common ancestors and anything else Cornish. People met
real cousins. They met people with whom they'd corresponded by e-mail and
"real" mail. We even had an internet breakfast with about 40 in
attendance. Philip Payton of the Institute of Cornish Studies who wrote,
"Cornwall" the wonderful book that came out last year, was there with his
family. You couldn't ask for more!
The next, the 10th Gathering of Cornish Cousins will be held in
Pennsylvania in 1999. Put it on your Plan Ahead Calendar and don't let
yourself miss it!
CAHS also helps new local Cornish groups to form. There are at least 22
(more I think) of them all over Canada and the US. If you want an address
for a local group, please let me know.
CAHS will help anyone who wants to represent the Cornish at a Celtic Fair
or any ethnic festival. We'll send you "Blowing in the Wind" a little
white paper on how to set up a booth and what to bring and ideas on how to
present the Cornish to people who ask, "Where's Cornish?" or "Did you
invent Cornish Hens?" or to people who are interested in the language and
to people who know something about Cornwall and want to know more. It's a
fun experience! (You'll see us at the Celtic Fest in Bethlehem, PA on Sep
27-28, 1997.)
CAHS maintains a reference library. It's not a circulating library but
one that has a hard-working VOLUNTEER librarian who looks things up for
people and sends them copies of information found. (Usually the recipients
of this help will send a small donation of thanks to be spent on the
library collection.) Included in the collection are a large number of
parish histories (the small ones that can be obtained when visiting the
parish church) that are helpful in putting your ancestor in a historical
context.
CAHS also has a quarterly (usually) newsletter of at least 10 pages an
issue, sometimes more. I have the honor to be its editor therefore I
happen to have extras around the house just in case you write me and ask to
see a sample.
Dues are $10 per year for an individual or $15 for a family (may include
children up to age 12 - children or grandchildren). Members will receive a
discounted registration at Gatherings.
In addition to "Blowing in the Wind" CAHS has a publication called "Tips
for Forming a Local Cornish Society". Those are free. We also have "A
Directory of Some Cornish Resources in North America and Cornwall" which is
a 65 page book for only $6 (possibly plus postage....I'm not sure). It's
chock full of sources for books, internet, festivals, genealogy, language,
music, general merchandise, magazines and newsletters, North American
Celtic organizations and Cornish societies, NA tourist attractions,
historical and genealogical libraries, performers & speakers, and tourist
information. It's a never-ending source of riches on things Cornish.
So, if you'd like a sample copy of a Tam Kernewek or any information on
how to join CAHS or a local society, just let me know. If you want TK,
please send me your address and I'll mail it right out.
I will now step down from my soap box and await a barrage of messages.
Nancy Oster Heydt, New Jersey Cornish descendant looking for other NJ
Cornis

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