Archives and Special Collections: Subject guides - Religious Archives

Sykes family papers

The Sykes family were originally merchants in Leeds who began trading in Hull in the 17th century. In 1748 the family came into large estates at Sledmere, East Yorkshire. The correspondence of Christopher Sykes (1749-1801) includes two letters from the Archbishop of York [DDSY/101/52]. Tatton Sykes (1826-1913) was a deeply religious man who restored 17 churches at a cost of £10,000 each. His correspondence and private account books throw light on this work [DDSY/98/48-50; DDSY/101/76-77, 92-111]. Other items include a sermon preached at York Minster by the Reverend Thomas Beaumond in 1793 [DDSY/104/105]; the grant of the rectory and tithes of Sledmere in 1607 [DDSY/9/1]; a letter from the Bishop of Clogher to Sir Henry Beaumont 1751 [DDSY/101/5] and a volume of religious material for York including lists of incumbents at the Minster as well as notes on christenings, burials and epitaphs [DDSY/90/1] (see also Mark Sykes, rector of Roos).