This is a summary of the Key family based on Ken & Freda Key of Albans View, Watford
1st Generation (As researched so far)
Nicholas Key (a sojourner) and Eleanor Michell (of Redruth), married in Gwennap 25/06/1794.
Children included:
Eleanor bap. Gwennap 23/04/1796
Joseph bap. Gwennap 17/07/1796
John bap. Gwennap 10/04/1798
2nd Generation
Joseph married Sarah Brokenshire, in St Wenn on 22/10/1821. Sarah was baptised in St Dennis on 16/04/1798. Records show that Joseph was a blacksmith.
Children included:
| John | bap. | St Blazey | 27/03/1825 |
| Caroline | bap. | St Blazey | 29/07/1828 |
| James Brokensha | bap. | St Blazey | 26/06/1831 |
| Eleanor | bap. | St Enoder | 30/04/1837 |
| Joseph | bap. | St Enoder | 03/11/1839 |
Nicholas was buried in St Blazey (of Biscovay) on 19/12/1828, aged 59
By 1837 the family seemed to have moved to St Enoder – possibly Summercourt. There was another Key family in the area (James and Mary) who called their children by very similar names.
By 1841, the family had moved to St Just in Penwith (Churchtown). Joseph continued to be a blacksmith
By 1851, still in St Just (Princess St). Caroline had married John Nekervis at St Just on 06/05/1848 and James was absent.
3rd Generation
James Brokensha married Jane Ellis, in St Just on 18/12/1856. Jane was born in St Just in 1838.
James was still a blacksmith at this time
Children included:
Joseph b. St Just 19/12/1856
James Henry b. St Just 1859
Janey b. St Just 1864
By 1861, Jane was a greengrocer living with 2 young children in St Just (Fore St). James was absent.
By 1871, Jane had re-married (to John Olds). They were living in St Just (North Row) at the time.
Their children included: Johney Olds (b. 1867, d. 1871), Thomas Olds (b. 1869), Mary Olds (b. 1873).
By 1881, they had moved to Frizington, nr Whitehaven, Cumberland (Steele Bank). John was an iron mine
Joseph and James Henry stayed in St Just. Both were tin miners. James Henry married Johanna Murley, in St Just in 1880. They later moved to Millom, Cumberland and James became an ironstone miner. Later, he became the Assistant Manager of a diamond mine in S Africa.
4th Generation
Joseph married Matilda Wallis, in St Just on 17/01/1880. Matilda was born in St Just in 1856. Joseph was a tin miner.
In 1881 they were living with her mother, Johanna Wallis, in Bosorne Lane, St Just.
By 1891 they had moved to Brotton, N. Yorkshire (18 Railway Terrace). Joseph became an ironstone miner.
In 1901 they were still in Brotton (18 Railway Terrace).
5th Generation
James Henry married Emily Buckingham, at Saltbum by the Sea on 30/04/1913. James was an ironstone miner. Emily was born in Middlesbrough in 1889.
Children included:
Kenneth b. Brotton 16/07/1914
Dennis b. Brotton 16/07/1914
The two boys were twins
By 1914 they were living in New Brotton. James was still an ironstone miner.
By 1940 they had moved to Fleetwood (65 Bold St) and James Henry worked in the fish dock.
War service: Kenneth enlisted on 11/6/40 in Preston [aged 25]. He joined the Scots Guards? And saw service in N. Africa (Africa Star) and Italy. He was later stationed in Bushey and Demobilised in 1946.
Emily died in Fleetwood in1941. James Henry re-married? And later died in Fleetwood in 1970.
6th Generation
Kenneth (Ken) married Jenny Elfrida (Freda) Beckham, in Watford in 1946. She was born in Watford in 1920. Kenneth was a postman.
Children include:
Geoffrey (Geoff) b. Watford 18/02/1947
Roger b. Watford 23/04/1952
Nigel b. Watford 1956
Gregory b. Watford 1958
Howard b. Watford 1963
In 1947 Ken and Freda were living in Bushey (109 Melbourne Rd – lodgings). Later the same year they moved to N. Watford (446 St Albans Rd – 1st floor flat)
In 1952 moved to Woodside Estate (5 Albans View)
Freda died 1983.
Ken died 1990.
7th Generation
Geoff married Betty Davies, in Bristol in 1970. Betty was born in Bristol in 1940.
Children include: Sarah Jayne b. Southampton 02/02/1974
Mary Louise b. Taunton 03/02/1978