If your Kelley/Kelly ancestor - (or perhaps not *your* ancestor, but *someone's*) was tried at The Old Bailey in London, you can now read some fascinating accounts in the transcripts of 210,000 trials across four centuries: Old Bailey Online, The Proceedings of The Old Bailey, 1674-1913 http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/ A search for KELLEY resulted in many transcripts. Here is an example of one: "Charles Close, Bernard Trevers, Hugh Kelley, Mary Kelley, Theft > burglary, Miscellaneous > perverting justice, 9th April 1684. "Charles Close , Bernard Trevers , and Hugh Kelley , Indicted for Robbing the House of John Shuttleworth, an Inn-keeper at Wood-green in the Parish of Tatenham , and taking away in Plate and Money to the Value of 250 l. which they effected, by going first to drink, as if passing towards Hornsey, being habited as Gentlemen, the Inn-keeper making much of them, thinking he had gotten good Guests, and offering them to lye at his House; but assoon as it grew dark, Bernard Trevers lett in several others, who assisted them to bind the Family, and rob the House. Also, Mary Kelley was Indicted as accessary, for comforting, aiding, and harbouring them after the Robbery committed . Some of them were taken at Portsmouth, and part of the Plate found with them, also a Gold Ring found with Mary Kelley, she being the pretended Wife of Hugh Kelley Trevers was taken about Charing-Cross, and either was or went in the Habit of of a Granadeer The three Men confess'd, upon their Arraignment, that they were guilty of the Felony and Robbery, but not of Breaking the House: however, it being proved that Trevers unbolted a Back door to let the rest of his companions in, they were all three found Guilty of Felony and Burglary; but Mary Kelley is acquitted." An example from the search for KELLY: "Ordinary's Account, 9th September 1723:" ".He added, that tho' several People, whose Pockets had been pick'd of Watches, Gold, &c. had suspected him and apply'd to him in Prison, that yet he was Innocent of all those Charges, for he was never so mean as to submit to Pocket-picking; but one Hugh Kelly was the Person whom they usually imploy'd upon that Business, who is now in America, and as he had heard, leads there a sober and industrious Life; and tho' J. Lock had put him into his Information, as if he was the Person who rob'd the Gentleman of his Watch, a few Years ago, who was going with the rest of the Congregation out of St. Paul's Church Covent-Garden, yet he said that J. Lock had since recollected himself, and believ'd that it was Kelly that took the Watch." And, as usual, finding one record raises questions that lead to more research.which makes genealogy so much fun! Paula Kelley Ward Kelley Admin since 1996 San Antonio, Texas chachalady@sbcglobal.net An Irishman has an abiding sense of tragedy which sustains him through temporary periods of joy.