There are a number of sources of information available to the researcher when providing a history of a community where your ancestors lived or the history of a particular house that you may currently own or that ancestors may have lived in, especially if they came from a wealthy family. In some cases the property may still be standing.
Trade directories can also give information especially in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
The earliest Newspaper that includes information relating to Cornwall is the Sherborne Mercury dating from 1737. Other sources include protestation returns, hearth and poll tax lists as well as census returns and tithe maps and apportionments. Collections of illustrations means that a photograph of people and places are available and copies can be obtained for you.