A SPECIAL exhibition to celebrate 500 years of fishing links between Newfoundland and Devon, especially Teignmouth, is opening soon.

And the Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum is keen to hear from families whose descendants may have had connections with the trade.

The family names in Teignmouth include Bartlett, Bibbens, Brine, Butler, Clapp, Goss, Hayman, Keen, Penson and Warren.

From Shaldon, they are Bulley, Boden, Fox, Harvey, Gilpin, Mortimer, Row, Squarey and Stigings, and from Combeinteignhead, Bulley and Job.

Museum archivist Lin Watson said there will be many others as well, and anybody with more information can email [email protected].

She outlined the strong Devon links with the Canadian Province of Newfoundland dating back to the 16th century. Boats from local ports sailed to waters off Newfoundland to fish for cod, to be dried and brought back to France, Spain and Portugal.

For 200 years fishermen left Devon in March and April and returned in the autumn, but gradually land bases were established for them to overwinter.

In 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, from Compton Castle in the South Hams, claimed Newfoundland as the first English overseas colony.

Richard Whitbourne from Coombe Farm in Teignmouth set up the first Court of Admiralty in the Americas in Newfoundland in 1615.

Local fishermen and craftsmen from Teignmouth, Shaldon and the surrounding villages sought to earn a living from these voyages.

This was the main local industry until the advent of tourism.

Devon trade directories show that in 1830 there were 32 merchants and shipowners in Teignmouth and 20 associated master craftsmen in the shipbuilding trades.

‘As part of the celebration of 500 years of contact between Devon and Newfoundland, the Devonshire Association is working with the Devon Family History Project to present talks, concerts and displays throughout the county during the first two weeks of April – more info at www.devonassoc.org.uk.

‘There will also be exhibitions and events in Exeter, Bideford and Appledore, Brixham, Dartmouth and Topsham museums.

‘Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum is presenting its own exhibition at the Heritage Centre: The Newfoundland Connection – the story of the cod fishery and how Teignmouth and Shaldon were involved.’

Lin continued: ‘There will be images and some information about local families from the two towns and surrounding villages who bravely went out to Newfoundland.

‘Research into family connections has been carried out by members of the Torbay U3A History group.

‘One intriguing item donated to the museum is a letter of September 1816 about trading between Teignmouth, Newfoundland and Portugal.

‘The letter is from a merchant, Mr Goss, who writes to merchants in Oporto that a cargo of fish will be delivered from Newfoundland to them. He hopes that a cargo will be arranged for the journey back to Teignmouth, otherwise he will lose money!’

The exhibition opens at the Teign Heritage Centre (opposite the station) on Saturday, March 18 at 12.30pm, and continues from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 4.30pm until April 22.