My interest arises because my maternal grandfather's mother and many of her ancestors were born and spent much of their lives in West Newton.
West Newton is a small village in north west Norfolk, about 8 miles north east of Kings Lynn. Its location can be seen on this map of Norfolk (115,595 bytes). It is mentioned in the 1068AD Domesday Book, under the name of Nivetuna. However, it has been inhabited much longer than that. The oldest evidence of human habitation is a Roman villa, the site of which is located about a quarter of a mile from the present church.
Until the middle ages, the low lying land to each side of the river a little downstream was an inlet of the sea, and nearby Castle Rising was a port. Later the area became marshland and now is mainly agricultural and woodland.
Nivetuna was part of the manor of Snettisham, held by Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury, prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was seized by William the Conqueror, who gave it to Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. When he rebelled against William II, it was passed to William de Albini, an ancestor of the Earls of Sussex. Eventually it became a part of the Sandringham estate which was bought by the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) in 1862.
The oldest visible part of the church, the tower, dates from the early 1300's, although the four-faced clock was not added to it until 1907. There were considerable additions to the church in the 15th century, including the battlements on the tower, but in the 18th and early 19th centuries it fell into considerable disrepair. Following the purchase by Edward in 1862 the church, like other parts of the village, underwent considerable restoration and new building (such as the pinnacles on each corner of the tower).
This photo (16,448 bytes) shows the church as it was in January 1991.
Three more photos from the same date show other typical buildings in the village.
The first (31,586 bytes) photo was taken from outside the church lychgate. The second (61,972 bytes) is right beside a farm within the village, and the third (40,560 bytes) shows another of the village's older buildings.
Located outside the parish boundary in neighbouring Castle Rising was West Newton mill, 2 km south of West Newton village on the River Babingley. You can read about the history of the mill and see photos of it at Jonathan Neville's web site, which also has pages about many other Norfolk mills.
Marian Thorpe wrote (of herself and her sister Katie):
We are researching West Newton ancestors: names of interest Raven, Grimes, Smith, Dennis, Hopkins, Mallett. Have good information on some descendents of Thomas Grimes and Mary (Raven) Grimes b c 1790's.
Bob Tuxford writes:
Seeking all Tuxfords and connecting families, also any Garthons
John Martin writes:
Researching ancestry in West Newton interested in Mallett, Buttery, Ma(e)lby. Thought to be resident Queen Alexander's Cottages and worked on Sandringham Estate.
Richard Ringer writes:
My Grandfather John Thomas Ringer was born in Victoria Cottages and his father, William was born in Dersingham in 1857. His Mother Rose Mary also came from West Newton. Her maiden name was, I believe, Riches. In addition to John, the family also had Arthur William, Rose Mary, Samuel, Ronald Edward . Samuel died in the year he was born 1890, Arthur was killed in France in 1917 amd Roland died at the Suvla Bay landings. Anyone who has any information on this family can get in touch.
Jan Glasby wrote:
I've just discovered from the 1851 census that Martha RICHES was born about 1801 in West Newton. I've checked the IGI without a result. Does anyone have any RICHES in West Newton?Heather Gooch writes:
I have researched my family back to Benjamin Petjy (now Petchey) and Mary Fox married at West Newton 20th January 1776, Banns December 1775. I would like to hear from anyone interested in this family or with any information which may help me to trace them back further. They lived at Dersingham and later generations of Petchey lived at Brancaster.Sharon writes:
My ancestors who were born in West Newton surname APPLEGATE Thomas born abt 1810 married Sussanah CHAPMAN born abt 1809, married 29 May 1926 child Mary born 1826 Mary born 4th Feb 1810, married Robert JOHNSON in 1828 Susan born 26 Dec 1811 married Samuel ROBINSON in 1829 Robert born 11 Oct 1813 died Apr 1814 Ambrose 14 Jul 1818 died 1819 Henry born abt 1815, married Mary NEALE in 1835 Their children Henry Neill 1837 Martha 1840 married Edward BOUGHEN b 1837 m1857 (their children were also born in West Newton Susannah b 1842 married ??RITCHES/RITCHIES Elisabeth b 1845 married John GENT (some of their children were born in West Newton) George b 1847 James Neil b 1850 (my ggrandfather) Charlotte b 1852 d 1853 William Charles Neal b 1856 ancestors born in Dersingham APPLEGATE John b abt 1758 John b 1788 HERRING Alice abt 1758 NEALE Mary abt 1819 ancestors born in Appleton BOYDEN Mary b abt 1777.Brian Dix writes:
I believe I am descended from Richard Dix, son of Richard and Mary, baptised 1739. I have been unable to trace the marriage of Richard and Mary and would be most grateful if you or any of your correspondents could offer any clues.
Laurance Keith Trundle is interested in the following, all born in West Newton on the dates shown:
Robert Trundle born 1868
Henry Trundle born 1870
Albert Trundle Born 1871
Weldon Trundle Born 1872
Julia Trundle Born 1874
Amelia Trundle Born 1876
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