Robert BURNARD was born in Altarnun in 1797. On marriage in 1832 lived at Port Scatho.

The name means Altar [church altar] of St Nonna. The village is to the East of Bodmin Moor situated on a tributary of the River Inney, it is not mentioned in the Domesday Book. Altarnun Parish is in the North Cornwall district and part of it lies within Bodmin Moor. Part of the new parish of Bolventor is in the South West of the older Altarnun parish. The area is mainly moorland but there are areas of farmland to the East and animals graze the moorland areas.