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Hi Christine, thanks for all that information it was brilliant and thank you for taking the time and making the effort to help me. it is really appreciated.
I have one question if you dont mind and that is do you think that the difference in spelling ie. Larram, Laitham and Larham was because some official did not want to appear to be thick and have to ask how to spell the name?
Anyhow thanks again for all your help"




My first point would be have you heard the suffolk/norfolk accent at its thickest. I learnt to talk in Norwich and moved to London when I was 5. No one could understand me at school.


In the 1800s spelling was not considered important. There was no set rules. They wrote it like they heard it. Sometimed completely different on the same document. I have a will where the same person is referred to as Bragginton/Brockingtom/ Bragynton. Also known as Brock Bragg etc. That is why we try to corroberate evidence with certificates, parish register, bmd and census documentation.
so the first problem is that the person themselves would not have a clue how to spell their name. sometimes enumuraters may be from a different area and have trouble hearing the name. then some 200 years later some poor soul without knowledge of the family has to read faint old fashioned handwriting to work out what it was meant to say. Not easy.

It is normal to post and acknowledge replies on the message board. That is good for you as it puts it to the top and someone else may have a go. Fresh eyes are always good. I will copy and paste this one for you.

BTW I have posted on your Hutchins thread too.

hi are you related to the panks family