"Richard Smith" wrote in message news:[email protected] On 20/01/15 17:49, Norfolkman wrote: > The will concerned was for Ralph Gabey (AKA Gaby or Gabie} The will was > dated 1734 in Downham, which is variously listed as either Norfolk or > Cambridgeshire. As I only have part of the will, I would love to be able > to > find it again. Ralph Gabey, yeoman, of Welney left a will dated 1734 proved in the Consistory Court of Norwich, and is register "Smith 11". I'm not aware that these wills are available on-line, but it's outside my area of expertise and I may be wrong. Welney is one of the chain of parishes along the Cambridgeshire / Norfolk border that straddled the border of the two counties until 1895. The parish was then divided into West Welney (Cambs) and Welney (Norfolk). It's a small windswept place in the Fens on the Hundred Foot Drain. The large Cambridgeshire parish of Downham borders Welney to the south, and its main village, Little Downham, is about eight miles from Welney. The Norfolk town of Downham Market is maybe eight miles to the north-east. Downham Market is much the larger place, and if the will just says Downham, it is more likely to mean Downham Market. Richard Thanks Richard, As you can see from my user name, I'm in this area so maybe a bit of local research is called for. Geoff

On 21/01/15 12:35, Norfolkman wrote: > As you can see from my user name, I'm in this area so maybe a bit of local > research is called for. In that case, it's available on microfilm/fiche in the Norfolk Record Office, in Norwich. Richard

> > "Richard Smith" wrote in message news:[email protected] > > On 20/01/15 17:49, Norfolkman wrote: > > > The will concerned was for Ralph Gabey (AKA Gaby or Gabie} The will was > > dated 1734 in Downham, which is variously listed as either Norfolk or > > Cambridgeshire. As I only have part of the will, I would love to be able > > to > > find it again. > > Ralph Gabey, yeoman, of Welney left a will dated 1734 proved in the > Consistory Court of Norwich, and is register "Smith 11". I'm not aware > that these wills are available on-line, but it's outside my area of > expertise and I may be wrong. It seems that the INDEX only is available, the buy the copy and it has very tight criteria. I asked for Raplh Gabey (all spellings) 1734 Woodham' and was told no such entry. I think Ancestry, for one, would have sent the reference to 'Ralph Gabey, Welney 1734'. As you have it on your PC, I suspect someone sent a photocopy and you put it there. . > > Welney is one of the chain of parishes along the Cambridgeshire / > Norfolk border that straddled the border of the two counties until 1895. > The parish was then divided into West Welney (Cambs) and Welney > (Norfolk). It's a small windswept place in the Fens on the Hundred Foot > Drain. > > The large Cambridgeshire parish of Downham borders Welney to the south, > and its main village, Little Downham, is about eight miles from Welney. > The Norfolk town of Downham Market is maybe eight miles to the > north-east. Downham Market is much the larger place, and if the will > just says Downham, it is more likely to mean Downham Market. That is a very useful explanation - these things are sent to try us. EVE Author of The McLaughlin Guides for Family Historians Secretary, Bucks Genealogical Society