Iconic collections

2. Sykes family of Sledmere [DDSY]

CATEGORY

Landed family and estate archives

CONTENTS

Title deeds, enclosure records, maps and plans, manorial records, accounts, rentals and surveys, tenancy agreements, sales particulars, wills, marriage settlements, correspondence, diaries and other personal papers.

HIGHLIGHTS

Papers of Sir Mark Sykes (1879-1919) relating to the Middle East and his intelligence/war work during the First World War, and illustrated letters to his wife Edith Gorst; estate archives and personal papers of Sir Christopher Sykes relating to the enclosure and agricultural improvement of the Yorkshire Wolds in the late 18th century;  diary of travels of Lady Elizabeth Sykes in Wales, 1796.

SIGNIFICANCE

This is the second largest landed family collection held by Hull University Archives.  The Sykes family acquired their Sledmere estate in the mid 18th century and had a significant impact on the agriculture and the villages of the Yorkshire Wolds.  By 1892 they owned 34,000 acres in East Yorkshire.  Sir Mark Sykes was a crucial figure in Middle East policy making during the First World War and was attending the Versailles Peace Conference when he died in 1919. 

See the Landed family and estate papers subject guide for more details.