Last week, the Heritage Centre was thrilled to welcome Diane and Leslie Pratt, visiting from Hinckley in Leicestershire. We meet many visitors with fascinating stories to tell and theirs is certainly no exception….
Diane is the great, great, great-granddaughter of Henry Harvey and his partner Grace Tonkin. Henry took over Harvey & Co. after his father’s death; John, his father, was the founder of Harvey’s of Hayle but it was Henry who drove the company to become a global-leader in engineering, famed for the world’s biggest (and best!) beam engines, serving mining industries as far afield as South America.
Diane’s brother made the incredible discovery last year whilst researching their family history. Now, Diane and her husband Leslie have made the long journey down to Cornwall to learn more about Diane’s ancestors and their incredible accomplishments, visiting churches, cemeteries and us, here at Hayle Heritage Centre.
Diane and Leslie (pictured below, centre right and left) spent a morning sharing stories and learning from two of our volunteers, Trevor and Frank (pictured on the far left and far right), who are incredibly knowledgeable about both Hayle and the Harvey’s.
To our knowledge, Diane is the most direct descendant to have visited the Heritage Centre, which is housed in the historic company office, once governed by Henry Harvey himself.
In the words of Henry, may we wish you continued “industry and perseverance” in your exciting family history research project.
