Records Relating to Swaffham Prior to be found in the Public Records Office

The Public Records Office in Kew, London, is a paradise for family historians. Unlike national public records offices in some other parts of the United Kingdom, the PRO has been set up entirely with the needs of genealogists and local historians in mind. It is modern, fast and efficient. Unfortunately it's also located in out-of-the-way Kew but you can't have everything.

The following are the specific references to Swaffham Prior and Reach to be found in the PRO public catalogue. There are other references and Swaffham Prior also turns up in more general records which cover more than just one parish (e.g. see the list of Cambridgeshire subsidy rolls). I have viewed very few of these records but will, over the course of my lifetime, try to see them all.

The list that I have has been subdivided into their various classmarks. You can check on the status of these documents using the PRO's online catalogue, called PROCAT at the web site (http://www.pro.gov.uk).

CLASS OS Records of the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain

CLASS C Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions

C 143/247/15 William de Arderne and Seman de Wytheresfeld, chaplains, to grant messuages and land in Bottisham, Wilbraham, and Quy to the prior and convent of Anglesey, retaining land in Bottisham and Wilbraham. Camb.William de Gosefeld to grant rent in Swaffham Prior to the same, retaining land there. 12 EDWARD III.

C 143/306/17 William Sterne to grant messuages, a sheep-walk, and land in Barnwell, Cambridge, Bottisham, Quy, Stow, Great Wilbraham, Little Wilbraham, and Swaffham Prior, and the reversion of land in Barnwell, Cambridge, and [Cherry] Hinton, now held for life by Juliana daughter of Simon Bernard, to the prior and convent of Anglesey, retaining a messuage and land in Haslingfield. 26 EDWARD III.

C 143/314/21 William Warde of Sawston, Roger Donne of Lakenheath, Gilbert Bernard of Isleham, Robert de Chesterton, and John fitz Johan, chaplain, to grant a messuage, land, and rent in Mildenhall to the prioress and nuns of Swaffham Bulbeck, retaining land and messuages in Lakenheath (Suffolk), Isleham, Sawston, and Swaffham Prior (Camb.) 28 EDWARD III.

C 143/388/12 Robert de Corby to grant the reversion of the manor of Swaffham Prior now held for life by Joan de Corby to William de Eynesham, chamberlain of the Guildhall of London, Isabel his wife, and their heirs. Camb. 50 EDWARD III.

C 1/450/9 Thomas Tyse of Swaffham Prior. v. Isabel, executrix and late the wife of Richard Tassell, of Bury St. Edmunds, draper.: Money paid to the said Richard to the use of William Salman of Newmarket, clothier, complainant's creditor.: [Suffolk].

C 1/470/1 John Bakon of Hessett, gentleman, and Dorothy, his wife, and Reynold Rabett of Bramfield, gentleman, and Jane, his wife, daughter of Agnes Hyldersham. v. Robert Morton, Philip Pares, esquire, John Bunt, and Richard Branysley, surviving feoffees to uses.:A moiety of the manor or messuage of Mompleres, and land, a fold-course, and rent in Swaffham Bulbeck, Swaffham Prior, and Bottisham, late of Nicholas Heughson, gentleman, father of the said Agnes.

C 1/682/22 Lewes Torffett of Newington, Surrey, and Agnes, his wife, daughter and heir of Thomas and Julyan Gaseley. v. John Powdyche, priest.: Detention of deeds relating to a messuage called `Gaseley howse' and land in Swaffham Prior.: Cambridge.

C 1/778/23-26 Richard Dale, vicar of St. Cyriac's, Swaffham Prior. v. Robert [Welles, alias Steward], prior of Ely.: Arrears of annuity.: Cambridge.

C 1/817/2 John Harper of Swaffham Prior, co. Cambridge, and Margery, his wife, sister and heir of John Sutton. v. Nicholas Sutton of Bury St. Edmunds, father of the said John Sutton.: Messuages, land and liberty of free fold in Ickworth, Great and Little Horningsheath, Westley, and Farnham.

C 1/842/34-35 Edmund Lee of Swaffham Prior, gentleman. v. Richard Holte.: Mortgage of the manor of Baldwins alias Lees [in Swaffham Prior].: Cambridge.

C 1/844/27 Agnes, wife of Edmund Lee.: Petition to examine witnesses as to title of the manor of Lees alias Baldwyns, and a messuage and land in Swaffham Prior, Swaffham Bulbeck, and Reach, alienated by the said Edmund.: Cambridge.

C 1/1354/109-110 Richard GYLL and Agnes, his wife, late the wife of Matthew Hynde, gentleman, and formerly of Edmund Lee, v. Francis, son and heir of John HYNDE, knight, J.C.P.: Messuage, lands, rents, and services in Swaffham Prior held by the said Lee, together with lands in Swaffham, Bulbeck, Reach and Bottisham.

C 104/239 CHALLIS v ?: Constables' answers to Quarter Sessions in the parishes of Tadlow, Whaddon, Conington, Knapwell, Over, Gravely, East Hatley, Swaffham Bulbeck, Swaffham Prior and Bottisham, Cambs; with an assignment of a mortgage of John Caseborne of a housein Thurlow, Sussex; and a pledge of William Isaacson to John Caseborne, endorsed. 1658-1712

C 1/61/216 Margaret Bateman, widow. v. Herry Russell, of Burwell, feoffee to uses.: Messuage in Reche: Cambridge.

C 1/227/54 Thomas Tompson, of Soham, son of William Tompson, of Sopham Prior. v. William Totehill, William Taillour, and other feoffees.: Land in Sopham Priour: Cambridge.

C 143/149/16 The prior and convent of Ely to retain various lands in Stetchworth acquired from Adam de Wesenham, James de Clopton, and John le Tornour, and messuages in Reach acquired from Alan Algar and Matthew de Bassingburn. Camb. 15 EDWARD II.

C 1/136/59 John Gebon, of Reach (Cambs.). v. The Tolbooth Court, of Lynn.: Action by John Lyndesey, of Lynn, for the fine of a lease of a messuage in Lynn, which he has not kept in repair as promised. Certiorari.: Norfolk.

C 44/10/8 Parties: Rex v Lyghtfot Subject: Land in Burwell & Reach County: Cambs

CLASS E Records of the Exchequer, and its related bodies, with those of the Office of First Fruits and Tenths, and the Court of Augmentations

E 41/380 Prior and canons of Anglesey [in Bottisham]: Roll of evidences relating to the church of Bottisham (Bokedyssham) and the advowson of the church of Swaffham Prior (- Magna) (temp. Hen III - Edw III); including a particular of the tithes of Swaffham Prior (dorse): Cambs

E 134/28Eliz/Hil5 The Queen v. Andrew Pearne, Dean of the Cathedral Church of Ely, Eliz. Edwards, Wm. Cook, John Ruse, Francis Tuthill, John Chambers, and others, the lords, tenants, and inhabitants of Swaffham Prior and Burwell Park.: Towns of Reach, Burwell, and Swaffham Prior, and the manor of Knights, in Swaffham Prior. 28 Eliz 1585

E 134/33Geo2/Mich1 William Eastwell v. John Richman, Clement Halls, Jacob Halls, Abraham Halls, James Jaggard, Thomas Cracknell, John Deeks, the younger.: Vicarage and parishes of St. Mary and St. Cyriac, in Swaffham Prior (Cambridge). Metes and bounds. Tithes.: Cambridge 33 Geo 2

E 147/4/6 Cambs: sherriffs' rents in Foxton, Shepreth, Orwell, Long Stanton, Great Abington, Badburham, Burwell, Fulbourn, Cheveley, Dullingham, Fen Ditton, Barman, Eversden, Morden and Ruesworth; views of frankpledge in Little Shelford, Hockington, Long Stanton, Burwell, Swaffham Prior, Little Wilbraham, Whaddon, East Hatly, Stowe, Barne, Eversden, Fulbourn, Dullingham, Abington, Fen Ditton and Badburham; castle-ward rent in Wimpole [Chas II]

E 210/4276 Agnes Colyn and John her son, of Swaffham Prior to Richard Harlewyn of Swaffham Bulbeck : Grant of a messuage adjoining the Earl of Oxford's bond tenement and the common way called ' Newenham Street ' : ( Cambs. ) 2 Hen. IV.

E 326/4908 Parties: Margaret, late the wife of William de Pulteneye, knight & Nicholas de Louthe, Robert de Lincoln, Nicholas, vicar of Stepney, John Colepeper, Roger Germeyn, John de Midelton, Richard Mouffe, Edmund Erneys, Fremin de Cromond. Place or Subject: Poplar and Southall, Swaffham Prior, Watermills called Cracchemilles by the Tower. 42 Edw III

E 328/50/2 On manor of Swafham Prior, co. Camb., manors of Southall and Plumstede, co. Kent, 2 mills and 10 marks rent in Estsmethefeld, p. of Whitechapel, co. Midd. 27 January 1346.

E 117/1/43 Burwell, St Mary, with the chapel of Reche Edw VI-Phil & Mary

E 210/187 Agreement for an exchange between Sir Thomas de Burg and John de Engelfeud ; viz. the said Thomas is to exchange lands in the manors of Suafham and Sumertun, or in the monor of Burg, except the advowsons of churches, for all John's land with his capital messuage in Ellertun ; the exchange to be effected before Christmas, A. Michaelmas [ 44 Henry III ]

CLASS MAF Records created or inherited by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Departments, and of related bodies

MAF 48/444 River Great Ouse Catchment Board acting as the Swaffham and Bottisham Drainage Commission: Swaffham Prior, Swaffham Bulbeck and Lode Fen Ways Maintenance Order, 1945 1944-1945

MAF 142/224 Land at Swaffham Prior and Burwell Fens, Cambridgeshire: public inquiry on compulsory purchase order; proposed sale of land to former owners 1952-1958

MAF 142/228 Land at Swaffham Prior and Burwell Fens, Cambridgeshire: negotiations to secure rights of way 1953-1967

MAF 114/287 Report to the Minister by Agricultural Land Commission on agricultural use of Swaffham Prior and Burwell Fens, Cambridgeshire 1951

MAF 9/16 Manor of Baldwins otherwise Lees: George Feast and Albert W. Feast 1905, Mar., 23

MAF 9/16 Manor of Baldwins otherwise Lees: Christopher Benstead 1908, July, 2

CLASS RG Records of the General Register Office, Government Social Survey Department, and Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

RG 12/1293 Civil Parish, Township or Place: Swaffham Prior (part) (Divided between RG 12/1293 & 1294) 1891

RG 12/1294 Civil Parish, Township or Place: Swaffham Prior (part) (Divided between RG 12/1293 & 1294) 1891

RG 13/1540 Registration Sub-District: Newmarket Civil Parish, Township or Place: Bottisham Bottisham Lode Burwell Commercial End Landwade Lode Long Meadow Reach River Bank Snailwell Swaffham Bulbeck Swaffham Prior 1901

CLASS HO Records created or inherited by the Home Office, Ministry of Home Security, and related bodies

HO 107/1762 Registration District: 189. NEWMARKET Registration Sub-District: [2 Newmarket] MISSING Parish: Swaffham Prior Hamlet: Reach 1851

HO 107/1762 Registration District: 189. NEWMARKET Registration Sub-District: 3 Bottisham ff.211-End Parish: Swaffham Prior Hamlet: St Cyriac 1851

HO 107/1762 Registration District: 189. NEWMARKET Registration Sub-District: 3 Bottisham ff.211-End Parish: Swaffham Prior Hamlet: St Mary 1851

CLASS HLG Records created or inherited by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and of successor and related bodies

HLG 23/9110 Newmarket RDC. No. 22 Swaffham Prior Housing Confirmation Order.

HLG 23/9111 Newmarket RDC. No. 23 Swaffham Prior Housing Confirmation Order.

HLG 23/9112 Newmarket RDC. No. 24 Swaffham Prior Housing Confirmation Order.

CLASS PROB Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury

PROB 2/493 BACCHUS, Rouland, of Swaffham Prior, Cambs [regd copy of will: PROB11/25, sig 38] 1536

PROB 4/6766 Mendham, John, of [?Swaffham] Prior[West Reach], Cambs. 1696 12 Dec.

PROB 4/16242 Drewrey, Lestrange, of Soffam [Swaffham] Prior, Cambs 1662 30 Jan.

PROB 3/22/119 Hockley, John, East Reach, p. of Burwell, co. Camb., waterman. John Momming and William Harness, exors. 1723 July 2

PROB 3/28/89 Taylor, Robert, West Reach, co. Camb., water man. Christopher Taylor, one of exors. June 2

PROB 4/3267 Wiseman Thomas, of East Reach, Cambs., [waterman] 1682 3 July

PROB 4/6766 Mendham, John, of [?Swaffham] Prior[West Reach], Cambs. 1696 12 Dec.

CLASS ED Records created or inherited by the Department of Education and Science, and of related bodies

CLASS SC Records of various departments, arranged artificially according to type, and formerly entitled Special Collections

SC 2/155/71 County: [Cambridge]; Staine (Hundred), with: Swaffham Prior, Wicken (Wikes), Badlingham, Burwell (Borewell), Soham (Saham), Isleham (Isilham), Swaffham Bulbeck, Landwade (Landwath); Tourns of the Earldom of Richmond and Courts 8 Edw III

SC 2/179/63 County: [Cambridge]; Burwell, with: Reach (Reche); Courts 16 - 18 Hen VI

CLASS MT Records created or inherited by the Transport Departments and of related bodies, and of the London Passenger Transport Board

MT 114/791 Swaffham Prior No 23, Cambs: proposed withdrawal of attendance 1964

CLASS IR Records of the Boards of Stamps, Taxes, Excise, Stamps and Taxes, and Inland Revenue

CLASS CHAR Records of the Charity Commissioners and Charity Commission

CHAR 2/28 Stapleford; Steeple Morden; Stetchworth; Stow cum Quy; Stow, Long; Stretham; Sutton; Swaffham Bulbeck; Swaffham Prior; Swavessy; Tadlow; Teversham; Thorney; Thriplow; Toft; Trumpington; Tydd St. Giles; Upwell; Waterbeach; Wendy; Wentworth; Westley Waterless; Weston Coalville; Whittlesey. [1817-1850]

CLASS AVIA Records created or inherited by the Ministry of Aviation and successors, the Air Registration Board, and related bodies

AVIA 5/20 Type: Wellington (V-9643); Location: Swaffham Prior; Report No.: W1047 1941 June