Les
I have been researching the Brabbing Family for several years. As you have a 'g' at the end of your name you will have descended from James Brabbin (Brabon, Brabbant) who worked and lived in Middleton cum Fordley, Suffolk, he was born circa 1761 in Suffolk - I think it was in Weybread, but I still need some additional evidence to support that theory - I can find a James Brabon in the PR's for Weybread and further evidence in the Norfolk Archives that he was subject to a Settlement Order at Redenhall, Norfolk in the 1770's. However I am unable to find any thing that states the one in Middleton was the James born in Weybread. I do know that the James in Middleton is the first of the Brabbin(g)s that appear in the PR's for Middleton (and the surrounding villages). Unfortunately James died before the 1851 Census, that would have been the only opportunity to confirm where he was born. In 1801 he, and his family, spent three months in the Workhouse at Bulcamp. He married Susan Last Partridge and one of their many children was William Brabbing - he is our shared ancestor. You then descend from William's Son James, b 1831 in Blyford, Suffolk. The line then goes to David b 1873 in Blyford, Suffolk and he was the Father of Cecil E Brabbing. The rest you know better than I.
I have considerably more information if required, including my Great Grandmother's photograph album. There is possibly a photo of James or William in there but I am not able to identify them (yet).
John and Edith are buried in Wenhaston Cemetery and I have a photo of the headstone if required.
If you need more please ask. My final tip - if you ever come across a Brabbin(g) with the g - you are related to them. No other branch has adopted that spelling and therefore they all descend from James and in particular - William b 1796 in Middleton cum Fordley. You will find the majority in Suffolk, Bolton in Lancashire and Staffordshire.
Malcolm
