The Primitive Methodists of the Eastern Fens formed their circuit in 1836 centered on the market town of Downham Market; their records, however, predate the founding of the circuit with these baptisms commencing in 1829. The circuit was extensive and covered not only most of Norfolk west of the A10 but also substantial areas of eastern Cambridgeshire too.

Two register books cover the period of the transcript, the first a hand-ruled folio, the second a standard 1600-entry ledger. Both registers are filmed on Microfilm MF1777 in the collection of the Norfolk Record Office and from which this transcript was prepared. Both registers are challenging to transcribe with handwriting of the most eccentric kind at times. There are numerous hands involved with few remaining for long periods, there is also evidence of irregularity with dates, and even names on occasion, missing from the entries. The date sequence and numbering are also inconsistent and indicative of a common register being later updated from multiple sources - hence the possibility of omission. This has been a difficult transcript to prepare and carries maximum caveat as to accuracy. Strange names are included, some are clearly poorly spelt common names, others are indicative of what one could read - in this case 100% accuracy is not guaranteed!