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Introduction - Potted History- Beginnings  

The Riches family is traced from the late 17th, early 18th century, originating probably at Skeyton/Buxton, Norfolk, England and Great Yarmouth Norfolk, England.   Residing mainly in the parish of St Nicholas.

     Great Yarmouth In the year 2001 is very different from the way it would have been 200 years or more ago when the early Riches family would have struggled to exist.     No running water, no sanitary utilities, no education, no medical services, no electricity, but lots of poverty, lots of misery and for many - an early death. 

     The town of Yarmouth was unique, the lack of building space between the river and the sea meant more houses were built than was usual and so many people became confined in such a small area.   There were three main streets, and from these streets narrow passages led off to provide access to the dwellings of the people. These narrow passages were longer than normal and eventually they became joined up to form through passages which became to be known as Rows. 

      In 1785 there were 145 of these rows, each one named after some notable.  Many of these named rows became duplicated by name, on numerous occasions, each row was known by 3 or 4 different names.   It became difficult to control the populas, therefore In 1804 in the interests of efficiency every row received a number.   Every house was given a number within the row.

A typical row in 1800 (Wall to wall 27" wide)

     Imagine if you can the problems that would have existed at this time.  The removal of waste?  The open gutters that truly were, running sewers.   Even though these rows had been built so that the pavements ran East to West,  following the natural fall of the land to the sea, the sewerage and rain encouraged to dispersed naturally.  it also ensured that there was always a flow of strong air blowing through the streets helping to  remove much of the stale air and smoke that hung in these narrow pebbled walkways.   Imagine children playing  in these open gutters  helping spread throughout the rows; the horrendous diseases of the time. 

     Most of the heritage was lost when many of the rows which were subject to terrible bombing during WW2, were completely destroyed, and others which were pulled down to make way for new developments in the twentieth century.   It is only in recent years that organisations such as "English Heritage" and now at long last,  the local government of the town of Great Yarmouth, have decided that those rows that remain are worth preserving.   Now those who search for the history of past generations can wander the streets of Great Yarmouth, the signs are all there.   Each row is numbered and, with a bit of imagination and colourful thinking, you can feel how it must have been to live in these tiny places just like:

William Riches born 1761 probably at Skeyton/Buxton, Norfolk, England.    In 1786 he married  Phyllis Anne Howard.   This union probably produced the following seven children between 1787 - 1805.

First Child.   Son Richard Riches born 1787

Second Child.   Son Edmund Riches 1791 - 1803

Third Child.   Daughter Rachel Riches 1795 

Fourth Child.    Son William Riches 1798 - 1802

Fifth Child.    Daughter Phyllis Riches 1801 - 1803

Sixth Child.   Daughter Elizabeth Riches 1803

Seventh Child.    Daughter Phyllis Riches 1805 

Tragically Phyllis Riches (Howard) died in 1810 and William remarried in 1814 - Ann Hepworth.   This union produced the following two children between 1815 - 1819.

Son John Riches 1815****see below

Son  Edward (Edmund) Riches born Buxton, Norfolk 1819 declared as a Fish Monger married Elizabeth (?)born Caston, 1828.   This couple had at least the following three children between 1844-1847.

Son William Riches born 1844 at  Hevingham, Norfolk.

Daughter Julier? Riches born 1844 at  Skeyton Norfolk.

Daughter Martha Riches born 1847 at Brampton, Norfolk.

In 1851 this family was residing at: Cross Road, Skeyton,  Aylsham, Norfolk

(Source PRO Reference: HO/107/1810 Folio: 477 Page: 2 FHL Film: 0207463)

William Riches (1761) died in 1838, there is no knowledge at this stage as to the demise of William's second wife Ann.

****Son John Riches born 1815 married  Sarah Ann Key (1818-1855) in 1838.   This union produced the following seven  children during the period 1840 - 1853.

First Child.  Daughter Mary Ann  born at Buxton and Registered at Aylsham District reference No 488 in 1840.  Mary Ann died of Cholera in 1849, register entry 495..

Second Child.  Daughter Harriatt born at Buxton, Norfolk 1842 - 1928.   Harriatt married John Parnell born at Lamas in 1831, an Agricultural Labourer at Lamas in 1859.   This union probably produced the following children between 1862-1880.

Son Herbert Parnell born Lamas in 1862 his occupation was declared as an agricultural Labourer.

Son William Parnell born Lamas in 1864 his occupation was declared as an agricultural Labourer.

Daughter Emma Parnell born Lamas in 1866.

Daughter Rosa Parnell born Lamas 1869.

Son George Parnell born Lamas 1871.

Son Thomas Parnell born Lamas 1873.

Daughter Ethel Parnell born  Lamas 1875.   

Daughter Edith Parnell born Lamas 1877.

Son Charles Parnell born 1880 Lamas.

     At the census of 1881 this family were residing at Buxton Road Cottages By Rectory, Lammas Cum Little Hautbois, Norfolk, England

(Source: FHL Film 1341466 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 1931 Folio 70 Page 9)

Third Child.   Daughter Sarah Riches (1843 - 1849).  Born at Buxton and Registered at Aylsham District reference No 597 in 1843.  Sarah Riches died in 1849.

Fourth Child.   Daughter Susanna Riches 1845 - 1847. Susanna's death is registered No 431at Aylsham District.

Fifth Child.  Son Reuben Riches 1848 - 1937*** see below

Sixth Child.   Son William Riches 1850.

At the census of 1851 the family, Sarah Ann with children Harriatt, Reuben and William Riches were  found to be residing at: Cross Road, Skeyton Aylsham, Norfolk.   There was no trace of husband John at this address and Sarah was declared to be a  Wash Woman. 

(Source PRO Reference: HO/107/1810 Folio: 477 Page: 2 FHL Film: 0207463)

However, further research in 1851 brings to light the following information: John Riches, a Prisoner aged 33 residing in "Norwich Castle" Castle Hill, Norwich.  He had been accused of receiving stolen goods, which turned out to be a sheep's carcass.  

(Source PRO Reference:  HO/107/1814 Folio: 122 Page: 41 FHLFilm: 0207467)

Sarah Ann Riches (Key) died 1855, John Riches died in 1894 aged 75, his death registered at Aylsham District serial no 1384.

(Source PRO Reference: HO/107/1814 Folio: 122 Page: 41 FHL Film: 0207467)

     Seventh Child.  Son John Thomas 1852.   At the census in 1861 John Thomas is lodging with his sister Harriatt.   He married Susan Claxton born at Lammas With Hautbois Parva Aylsham, Norfolk c.1848/49  the daughter of John Claxton age 30,a Carpenter, and his wife  Febia aged 28 who were residing at Aylsham, Norfolk.
This  union produces at least Eleven children between 1880 -1895. (See Profile)

(Source PRO  HO/107/1810 Folio: 582 Page: 12) 

 *** Reuben Riches a Mariner born 25th April 1848 at Buxton, Norfolk, married Jane Wells (1852) born Burlingham, Norfolk, England, daughter of Robert (1809) and Sarah Wells(1808) on the 3rd March 1869 at St Nicholas, Yarmouth, they had at least the following four children:- (Source FHL Number 1526457) (See Profile)

First Child.   Son   Arthur Albert Riches born in Great Yarmouth 1869

Second Child.  Daughter  Ellen Selina Riches born in 1872  (See below)**  

Third Child.   Daughter Elizabeth Rosina Riches born in 1874.   Elizabeth Rosina married Arthur Richard Shapland, son of Richard Shapland on the 30th June 1895 at St Nicholas, Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.  Elizabeth was a witness to her sisters marriage in 1891(See Selina below). 

Marriage Recorded in: St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England Source: FHL Number 1526459 Dates: 1886-1899

Fourth Child.   Daughter Bertha Augusta Riches born in Great Yarmouth Q3 1876.  It is probable that Bertha married in Dec 1895.   The marriage registered at  Loddon District.  

(Source Vol 4b page 595).  

In 1881 this branch of the Riches family was living at No 19 Row 125, North Side, Great Yarmouth, England, (previously known as 'Wrestlers Row) .   Reuben's occupation was stated to be that of a Mariner/fisherman.   On the day of the census in 1881, Reuben was away at sea.   He was shown as being the, "Mate", aboard the fishing ketch "Ada Florence", registered at "census place",  Falmouth, Cornwall. 

(Source: FHL Film 1341461 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 1910 Folio 23 Page 39)

In 1891, Reuben with wife Jane and Daughters Rosina and Bertha were residing at No 7 Row 132 Great Yarmouth.  Reuben was declared as a Mariner, daughter Rosina was a Dressmaker. 

(Source 1891 RG12/1498 folio 203)

 In 1901 at the census of Yarmouth South  Reuben with wife Jane were residing at No 22, Row 132, Great Yarmouth.     He was declared as a mariner on this occasion.

(Source extract  1901 RG13/1809 folio 36)

**The eldest daughter Ellen Selina Riches born in 1872 married Samuel John Fuller born in 1871 son of Samuel Fuller, on 10th August 1891 at the Parish Church in the Parish and County of Great Yarmouth.   (An entry on the marriage certificate reads Page 149/No 297).   The marriage was witnessed by Henry Beckett and Elizabeth Rosina Riches. 

At the census in 1891, Ellen Selina Riches (19) and Samuel John Fuller were residing at No 7, Row 107 Great Yarmouth, previous known as, Post House Row, Chapel Paved Row, St Georges East Row.  Also at this property were Henry James Beckett (28) with wife Caroline (Fuller) age 28.  

(Source RG12/1498 folios 155/156)  

Samuel was declared to be a Seaman.   Ellen Selina at this time was employed as a Silkwinder.    They had at least seven children between 1892-1911:-

First Child.   Daughter.  Ellen May (Nellie Fuller)  born Great Yarmouth England 1st May 1892, baptised 9th April 1893.   

(Source Parish Register Entry page 251 item 2002).

Second Child.   Ted Fuller born Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1894

Third Child.   Billy Fuller born Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1896

Fourth Child.   Hilda Grace Fuller born Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1898

Fifth Child.   Arthur Fuller  born Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1900

Sixth Child.   Rosina Livinia Fuller born Hull, Yorkshire  in 1906

Seventh Child.   Doris Amy Fuller born Hull, Yorkshire in 1911

Around 1905, Samuel John,  Ellen Selina and their family left Gt Yarmouth and moved to Hull, residing at 14 Collenso Street.   Samuel's occupation was that of (a Ketch Captain) Trawler Skipper.   Tragically he died in 1914.   Ellen Selina remained at the family home in Collenso St, for the remainder of her life bringing up the children on her own.  She never re-married and died in 1944.

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