Yes, the last two posts are absolutely right. The Cornish diaspora reaches across the world. Where traditional culture has been maintained in those communities (such as polyphonic carols in South Australia) it's a useful addition to our knowledge. I've hardly looked as such sources, for the reason that since I started this line of research I've been fully employed in understanding music back in Cornwall. I'm sure there is much still to learn.

I started trying to understand Music in Cornwall/Cornish Music about 1999. Since then, helped by a great many folkies and academics, I have written about 50,000 words which take us from about 410 AD to 2007 in some detail, and at academic standards of review. The identified repertoire has expanded by about 300%.

I fund my research by selling transcriptions of the dance music to folk musicians. Also I sell a progressively evolving book called Ilow Kernow, the 4th edition of which is in preparation. As new discoveries have been made this book has got thicker and thicker! It is regarded as a valuable resource for Cornish social/traditional music. But it is certainly not perfect and we really need more source info.

At this (still early) stage, MSS of social music or song, or documentary accounts/references are vital. So if anyone knows of such things referring to Cornwall I'd love to hear. If anyone has specific info then a quick exchange of emails will check if the material is already on the database.

Thanks for your interest.

Crowdercref