GenUKI Contents

Huntingdonshire

GREAT RAVELEY

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"GREAT RAVELEY, a parish in the hundred of Hurstingstone, county Hunts, 3½ miles south-west of Ramsey. It is situated in the eastern part of the county. The village, which is small, is wholly agricultural. The living is a perpetual curacy annexed to that of Upwood, in the diocese of Ely. The church has long been in ruins. The Wesleyans have a small chapel. Sir Henry Peyton, Bart., is lord of the manor.

[The above was transcribed (and edited) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2023

Cemeteries

• There is no cemetery in Great Raveley. The cemetery of Little Raveley or Upwood served this purpose.

Census

• Census information for this parish (1841 - 1891) is held in the Huntingdon Records Office.
• The full 1841 Census of Great Raveley Parish is available as fiche set C85.
• The full 1851 Census of Great Raveley Parish is available as fiche set C35.
• A surname index of the 1881 Census of the Huntingdon Registration District, in which Great Raveley was enumerated (RG11/1600, Folios 138a - 142b), and which took place on 3rd April 1881, is available as fiche set C3.
• A full transcription of the 1891 Census of Ramsey Registration District (RG12/1234) in which Upwood was enumerated, and which took place on 5th April 1891 is available as fiche set C6.
• The above mentioned fiche sets are available from the Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire FHS.

Church History

• There is no church in Great Raveley.
• There is a tradition of a church in the parish but the only evidence of it is a single entry in the Kings Book of Henry VIII. Nothing has been found to support this statement.
• In the 17th century there was a proposal to unite the parish with Little Raveley, but this came to nothing.

Church Records

• There are no church records for Great Raveley. The parish church of Upwood provided this function. However the Upwood and Raveley Local History Group are transcribing the Parish Registers for Upwood and Great Raveley, and are willing to perform look-ups. (see below under "Societies").

Civil Registration

• The parish of Great Raveley was originally in the Registration District of Huntingdon from 1st July 1837. Subsequently it became part of the sub-District of Ramsey. From 1st April 1997, it has, once again, come directly under Huntingdon.

Description and Travel

• The Upwood and Raveley Local History Group have produced a book containing scenes of village life from the Victorian and Edwardian period through to the Second World War. This illustrated book includes anecdotes from village people combined with carefully researched village history. It comprises 64 pages, 23 black and white photographs and is available from: Deana Hudson, The Old Post Office, 71-73 High Street, Upwood, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE26 2QE. Enquiries only to Liz Carter on upwoodlhg@btinternet.com.
• The book is also available from the Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire FHS.

Gazetteers

• A transcript of the GreatRaveley parish entries from 1932 Victoria County Series
• A transcript of the GreatRaveley parish entries from Samuel Lewis's 1835 Topographical Dictionary of England,

Names, Geographical

• Rorflea,
• Roflea,
• Raflea,
• Reflea (x cent.),
• Rauesle,
• Ravele Major (xiii cent.),
• Magna Rauele,
• Great Ravele,
• Raffleya (xiv cent.).

Poor Houses, Poor Law, etc.

• The parish of Great Raveley was in the Huntingdon Union for Poor Law administration. Births and Deaths registered in the Huntingdon Union Workhouse (1838 - 1949) is available, as fiche set D10, from the Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire FHS.

Population

• Population in 1801 - 108
• Population in 1851 - 326
• Population in 1901 - 156
• Population in 1931 - 162
• Separate population figures for Great Raveley parish were last published in 1931. From 1935, the figures have been included with Upwood.

Societies

• The Upwood & Raveley Local History Group is a recently formed group, and is providing some support for local and family historians. They are currently transcribing Upwood and Great Raveley Parish registers and are able to answer queries on these two parishes. Enquiries should be sent to the Chairman: Liz Carter, 11 Church Lane, Upwood, Huntingdon PE26 2QF. Telephone and Fax enquiries can be made to (+44 (0)1487 813008) or Email upwoodlhg@btinternet.com.