Small porch area that is a 3/4 (three quarter) hip roof. (The rear side of the hip is up against another wall of the house (the ridgeboard is thus nailed to the side of the main house).

Nothing supported above the porch (one level).

Going from the top of the OUTSIDE (top plate) wall (resting and nailed), to the inside wall we have joists overhead that at one time had a ceiling (in some spots these joists are 16" oc, and in other places they are missing. These joists are approximately 5' long. Natuarally above these joists are the hip jack rafters and the common rafters. What I want to know if I can remove these JOISTS to make a cathedral ceiling in this small porch. Do the joists support the walls from moving (ir or out) (or are the joists there soley to support the ceiling that was once there.) or is that done by the rafters?

If they can't be removed, can they moved upward, and if so, how much so.

Any other ideas on how I can get more ceiling height in this space would be a big help.

Thank you very much.

Pete