Isle of Man [Ellan Vannin]
by R. Scott/Gretchen Sherman
The Isle of Man, in the Irish Sea, between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales is 33 miles long and 13 miles wide. It is a unique self-governing kingdom - a Crown dependency belonging to neither the United Kingdom or the European Union - enjoying a very relaxed pace of life. It has it's own parliament, laws, traditions, culture, postage stamps, currency and language, though everyone uses English and all UK currencies [GB pound Stirling] are accepted.]
When Magnus Barefoot, King of Norway, landed at Peel in 1098 with a fleet of 160 ships, the Isle of Man was already a part of the Viking kingdom. The Vikings established the system of self-government known as Tynwald still in use today and the longest continuous parliament in the world.
My wife and I spent three days in the Isle of Man in August, the first one of our family to return to the land of my paternal great-grandparents whose earliest relative, Patrick CAIN, was born in Ballaugh, Malew Parish in 1712. Genealogy on the IoM is basically parish based. The LDS Family History Center nearest you can obtain Microfilm of the Isle of Man Parish Register Transcripts [in my case the Parish Church of Kirk Malew {Baptisms 1651-1848; Marriages 1649-1849; Burials 1649-1848 ].
The Isle of Man Family History Society publishes a wonderful Journal and maintains a Library in Peel. iomfhs(a)manx.net and Manx Genealogy is a major Bulletin Board on the Isle's web site
http://isle-of-man.com
Quoting from the Manx Note Book [pp 20-30 of Vol ii 1886] Manx Surnames - CAIN or CAINE, contracted from Mac Cathain, {Cathan's son} This name may be rendered "warrior" (cath 'a battle'). McKane [1408], Mac Cann [1430], Mac Cane [1511], Cain [1586], Cane [1601], Caine [1609], Cayne [1610].
Scott Sherman