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Charles Piazzi Smyth was born in Italy in 1819, the son of William Henry Smyth (1788-1865), a naval officer and respected amateur astronomer, and Annabella Warrington (1788-1873). His godfather was Giuseppe Piazzi, a famous Sicilian astronomer.
In 1855, he married Jessie Duncan. Piazzi Smyth died in 1900 and was buried alongside his wife Jessie beneath a pyramid tombstone at the church in Sharow, near Ripon.

The firm of Gray's Solicitors has existed in York since the 17th century. William Gray (1) was the son of a Hull customs officer. He became a solicitor in York. His two sons, Jonathan (b. 1779) and William (2) (b.1785) followed him into the legal business and the firm of Grays, as did Jonathan's son, a third William Gray (b. 1805), and his son, Edwin (b.1847)

In 1843, the second William Gray was at the helm of the firm, which was located at 75 Low Petergate (it had previously been 'Thorpe and Gray's)
William Henry Cobb was born in York around 1839. He became a freemen of the city in 1860, and by 1872 had set up his own solicitor's firm at 19 Blake Street. The firm was known as W.H. Cobb and Son, and given that his son, Cecil was a law student at the time he became a freeman in 1892, it is likely that he joined his father in the business around this time.

Ernest Ralph Dodsworth was the son of Benjamin Dodsworth, a York surgeon. He was born in 1859, and became a freemen in 1883. That year, he set up a solicitors firm on New Street. By 1885, Dodsworth had become a partner in the firm of Gray's Solicitors, which at the time was under the third William Gray and his son Edwin.
In 1897, the combined firm of Gray and Dodsworth relocated from 75 Low Petergate to Duncombe Place. The firm of W.H. Cobb and Son, at 19 Blake Street, remained there until 1939. By the time of the next published City Directory (1949-1950), the Cobb in charge of the firm (likely the son of Cecil Henry Cobb at this point) had become a partner in the firm of Gray and Dodsworth, which then became Gray, Dodsworth, and Cobb, which it remained until at least 1975.

William Etty was born on Feasegate in York in 1787, the son of Matthew Etty, a baker and confectioner, and Esther Calverly.
He died in 1849 and was buried in St Olave's churchyard.

Jack Kenneth Willson-Pepper was born in Kent in 1904, the son of Albert Edward Pepper, a butcher, and Mary Southee White.
He died in York in 2000, aged 95.

Nathanial Pigott was born in 1725, the son of Ralph Pigott, a lawyer, and Alethea Fairfax. Alethea Fairfax was the daughter of William, 9th Viscount Fairfax, of Gilling Castle. In 1749, he married Anna Mathurine de Beriot of Louvain. In the 1770s, he moved to York in an attempt to settle his claim to the Fairfax estate at Gilling. He died in 1804.
His eldest son, Edward, was born in 1753. Edward was disinherited from the Fairfax title due to a family quarrel, and it was passed to his brother, Charles. He died in 1825.
Worked with John Goodricke from 1781. Great-grandson of 9th Viscount Fairfax. Brother Charles married Mary Goodricke, aunt of John Goodricke.
See Also - Goodricke; John (1764 - 1786); astronomer

John Goodricke was born in the Netherlands in 1764. the son of Henry Goodricke, a British diplomat. His family returned to York in 1776. He died in 1786.
See Also - Pigott; family; astronomers

William Strickland was born in Boynton, Yorkshire, in 1753, the son of George Strickland and Elizabeth Letitia Winn. He married Henrietta Chlomley in 1778. They had thirteen children: Henrietta (b. 1779), Walter (b.1780, d. 1798), Caroline (b. 1781), George (b.1782), Arthur (b.1784), Edmund (b. 1785), Eustachius (b.1787), Emma (b.1789), Anne (b. 1790), John (b.1794), Priscilla (b. 1796), Isabella (b. 1799) and Nathanial Constantine (b.1802).
He died in 1834.

John Stanley Purvis was born in 1890 in Bridlington. He died in 1968.

William Arthur Jagger was born in 1897, the son of Albert and Rose Jagger. In 1920, he married Ethel Cook and they had two children - Irene May Jagger (b. 1920) and Peter Francis Jagger (b. 1925). He died in 1996.
See Also - National and Local Government Officers Association

Angelo Raine was born in 1877, the son of James Raine (1830-1896) and Ann Keyworth. He died in 1962.
He was the grandson of James Raine, Antiquary and Clergyman (1791-1845).
See Also - Raine; James (1791-1858); Rev.; antiquarian and clergyman

James Raine was born in 1791 in Ovington, Yorkshire, the son of James Raine, a blacksmith, and Anne Moore.
He married Mary Peacock, with whom he had three daughters and a son, James Raine (2). He died in 1858.
The second James Raine married Ann Jane Keyworth in 1867. They had ten children, including Angelo Raine, b. c1877.
The first James Raine(1791-1958) was grandfather to Angelo Raine, Antiquary and Clergyman (1877-1962)
See Also - Raine; Angelo (1877-1962); Rev.; Antiquarian and clergyman

William Gray (1) was born in 1751, the son of a Hull packer. He married Faith Hopwood in 1777. They had three children - Jonathan (b. 1779), Margaret (b. 1782), and William (2) (b.1785). William Gray (1) died in 1845.
His son, Jonathan Gray and his wife Mary had two children, Margaret (2) (b.1808) and William (2). Jonathan died in 1837. His son, William Gray (3) had a son, Edwin, born in 1847. Edwin died in 1929.
See Also - Gray; William (1751-1845); Solicitor
See Also - Grays solicitors

William Gray (1) was born in 1751, the son of a Hull customs officer. He married Faith Hopwood in Oct 1777. They had three children - Jonathan (b. 1779), Margaret (b. 1782) and William (2) (b. 1785). Gray died in 1845. His son Jonathan Gray and his wife Mary had two children - Margaret (b.1808) and William (3). Jonathan died in 1837. William Gray (3) had a son named Edwin (b. 1847). William died in 1880. Edwin died in 1929.
See Also - Gray; family

William Cundall was born c. 1835. He and his wife Mary Ann (b. c1850) had three children - Mary Gertrude (b. c1877), William Marshall (b. c1879) and John Ernest (b. c1880)
John Cundall was born c. 1811. He and his wife Ann (b. c1819) had seven children - Mary A. (b. c1850), William Farrar (b. 1851, d. 1851), Robert Henry (b. c1852), John A.W. (b. c1854), Horatio F. (b. c1855), Grace T. (b. c1858) and Elizabeth (b. c1859).
Horatio Farrer. Cundall died in 1933.

Members of the Aitken family lived in York from 1576. Henry Martin Aitken b. c1815. Married Elizabeth Atkinson in 1843. Died 1874.
Elizabeth Aitken was born c. 1823 and died c.1896.
Their children included: Lydia (1844-1879), Rose (b. 1849), Henry Horatio (b. 1853), Violet (1857-1888), Edith (1861-1941), Elizabeth Mary (c. 1864-1870), Robert (1866-1876), and Charles (b. 1869-1936).

The family lived in the Bishophill area of York during the period covered by this collection. Henry Martin Aitken was a surgical instrument maker.
Henry Horatio Aitken was a glass manufacturer with a business at 29 Micklegate.
Charles Aitken was Director of the Whitechapel Art Gallery from 1901 - 1911. In 1911, he became Keeper of the Tate Gallery, and was it's first Director from 1917 - 1930.
Harry Aitken (Henry's son) became a dentist in Newcastle. The Aitken family travelled around England and Europe, and many of the letters in this collection refer especially to their travels to Neuwied, Germany, and Rotterdam.

Henry Horatio Aitken married Annie Amelia Brown. They had a son, Henry George Aitken (b. 1877) who was known as 'Harry' in the family.

John Swales (1) was born c1800.He was the son of Thomas Swales. In 1812, he was apprenticed to John Wilson, a butcher. He died in 1859. His son, John Swales (2) was born c1835. He and his wife, Mary, had three sons - John Thomas Swales (b.c1869), George Anderson Swales (b. c1871), and James Ernest Swales (b. c1879). John (2) died in 1886, and Mary in 1903.
Their son, John Thomas Swales married Ada Plummer in May 1897. They had two children - Hilda Swales (b. c1898) and Thomas Swales (b. c1910).

Robert Morrell was born in Sowerby, nr Thirsk, in 1799. In 1829, he married Anna Wilson in Masham. They had three children - Robert (b. 1830), Jemima (b. 1832) and William Wilberforce (b. 1838).
In 1869, William Wilberforce Morrell married Lydia Hutchinson. They had two sons - Cuthbert (b. 1872) and John Bowes (b. 1873).

Joseph Munby, solicitor, was the son of Joseph Munby and Jane Pearson. He was born in 1804.. In 1827, he married Caroline Eleanor Forth . They had seven children:

• Arthur Munby b. c1829
• John Forth. Munby b. c1832
• George Frederick Woodhouse Munby b. c 1834
• Frederick J. Munby b. c1838
• Joseph Munby b. c1840
• Caroline Munby b. c1844
• Edward C. Munby b c1846

Frederick Munby and his wife, Elizabeth, had two children:
-Beatrice b. c1867
-John Cecil bc1876

The York Central Conservative Club was founded in 1881 in order to consolidate the party after the defeat of The Right Hon James Lowther at the General Election in 1880 who had represented the city in Parliament since 1865. For many years the club met at the Ebor Rooms, Coney Street. However, this became too cramped due to social requirements of numbers and in 1909, moved to the De Grey Rooms, St Leonard's Street where they added an extension onto the rear of the building in 1910. The club had over 500 members in 1933 and the De Grey Rooms were more appropriate due to the size. The club moved again from De Grey Rooms to Museum Street in March 1986 until their closure in 1991. The club finally closed in 1991 after a period of financial difficulty and the archives were subsequently transferred in 1994. There were also four ward Conservative clubs in the city. These clubs, along with the Central Conservative Club formed a valuable asset in party politics. In 1969, the club abolished the 'male only' member policy and allowed females to become members 80 years after the club's foundation. The club also actively took part in international billiard tournaments, including the Faber Shield Tournament (which it won in 1904), the Scruton Cup (which it won in 1975), and the Hylton Foster Billiards Tournament.

George Leeman was born in 1809, the son of a greengrocer. He married twice - in 1835 and 1863, and had at least six children.
His son Joseph Leeman became a lawyer and MP for York like his father. Leeman died in Scarborough in 1882.

Gas was provided privately in York by the York Gas Light Company and the York Union Gas Light Company who merged to form the York United Gas Light Company in 1844.

The plays were originally performed in York from the middle of the 14th century until 1569 when they would be performed and funded by local trade guilds who would each take responsibility for one play. The end of the feast of Corpus Christi in England after the Reformation meant the plays came to an end. Performances of individual elements of the Plays started again at the beginning of the 20th century but it was not until 1951 that they were fully revived by the York Festival of Arts as part of the Festival of Britain. The plays were then initially staged every three years, later being staged every four. Due to financial and practical reasons in 1992 and 1996 the Plays were held indoor at the York Theatre Royal. The modern Guilds of York, heirs to the original Mystery Plays presenters, were formally associated with an outdoor production for the first time in 1998. In 2002 they took charge of the production themselves. The Plays have toured outside ever since.

Formed after the York Philosophical Society joined the Council for British Archaeology in 1971.
York Philosphical Society

Mennell Bros appear in York Trade Directory (Cook), 1909 as Saw Mills and Timber Merchant, North St, Micklegate. There is a gap in directories until 1920, but in 1921 and 1922 Mennell Bros. is listed under Timber Merchants, New Earswick. The Mennell Sawmill was situated at Ebor Works, York Road, Huntington, and the firm was run by at least two generations of the Mennell family. Henry Vincent Mennell ran the sawmill with his older brother, Arthur Leo, and it was eventually managed by Charles Arnold Mennell (d. 1980).

The first Yorkshire Music Festival was held in 1823, with the main performances given in the minster and additional evening concerts in the Assembly Rooms. As the Rooms turned out to be too small for this purpose, the following year a group of interested parties purchased adjoining property for the erection of a new concert room. It was decided that a second music festival should be held in order to meet the cost of this new space, and that any profit from future concerts should benefit of the York County Hospital and the Leeds, Hull and Sheffield infirmaries. In 1829 the directors of the concert room received about £2,550 from the proceeds of the third music festival of the previous year. The final music festival was held in 1835, when the concert room was again used for evening concerts.

Established to preserve derelict cemetery as working cemetery containing historic structures and environmental habitat. The York Public Cemetery Company was formed in 1837 to provide better burial facilities for the citizens of York. From 1855 until the 1940s the cemetery expanded to its present size of 24 acres (97,000 m2) by buying all the adjacent land that was available. By the 1960s, with the cemetery nearly full, it became clear that it was no longer financially viable. With prospects of very little income to pay wages and cover the maintenance of the site, in June 1966 the company went into voluntary liquidation. When the process was completed in 1979, there was nothing of commercial value left, only the land containing over 28,000 graves, 17,000 monuments and two listed buildings in an advanced state of disrepair. The abandoned site devolved to the Crown. In June 1984 the roof of the chapel collapsed. This event led to the formation of York Cemetery Trust, a registered charity. Two and a half years later the Crown Commissioners sold York Cemetery to the Trust. On 13th February 1987, the Trust became the owners of the site.
Reopened York Cemetery in 1987. Function previously carried out by York Public Cemetery Company (1826-1966).

The York Trades Council was formed in 1890. The majority of York's Trade Unions were affiliated to the Council. By 1899 it consisted of 18 affiliated societies representing nearly 2000 members. It brought a coherence to the trade union movement in the city and was one of the main forces behind the rise in labour representation. Its activities included 'labour demonstrations, [and] running labour candidates at municipal school board and board of guardians elections'. The Council supported the General Strikes in the 1920s. The organisation still exists today as the York and District Trade Unions Council and is a branch of the national TUC.

The John Dodsworth Educational Trust, set up by John Dodsworth of Nether Poppleton, maintained four schools at Castlegate, St. Lawrence's, Bishophill (all in York) and at Nether Poppleton (West Riding). The York Sunday School Committee managed the Castlegate, St Lawrence's and Poppleton Schools from 1800, and the Bishophill school from 1813, on the death of John Dodsworth. In 1896 it became known as the Educational Charity of John Dodsworth. The Educational Charities of John Dodsworth was registered in 1964.
York Sunday School Committee

The York Sunday School Committee was founded in 1786 largely by William Richardson who ministered at St Michael-le-Belfrey and consisted of several members of the clergy and laymen. The committee opened 10 schools for boys and girls. By 1841 over 1000 pupils attended eight of the schools. By the 1950's they began to decline and became closer to that of the modern Sunday schools. The committee also managed three schools set up by the John Dodsworth Educational Trust.
The John Dodsworth Educational Trust

NALGO was formed from 14 guilds and organisations at a conference set up by Herbert Blain. The new organisation had 5000 members. In its early years much of its work was social. In 1910 a Benevolent and Orphan fund was set up which gave small sums to widows and families of government workers who had died in service. In 1920, despite leadership opposition, protests from members led to NALGO obtaining a certificate from the Registrar of Friendly Societies confirming its status as a trade union. That year membership rose to 36,500.In 1946 it changed its constitution to allow other public services employees to join such as the NHS and electricity and gas boards. In 1964 they became affiliated with the Trades Union Congress. In 1993 it merged with the National Union of Public Employees and the Confederation of Health Service Employees to create UNISON.
See Also - Jagger; William Arthur (c1897-1996)

Founded 1868. From 1895, the York Rugby League was one of 22 groups from across Yorkshire which formed the Northern Rugby League. In 1901 they were first admitted to the national Rugby Football League

The Workers Educational Association or WEA was established in 1903, and there was branch in York from at least 1912. From 1912 to c1920 the WEA held meetings and classes at the St Mary's Educational Settlement. However, during the interwar years the relationship between the two institutions was an uneasy one. The WEA was suspicious of the Educational Settlement due to it's financial reliance on the Rowntree family, which it believed prevented the settlement from running on genuinely democratic lines. The Settlement was also considered 'bourgeois', 'middle class' 'capitalist' and 'reactionary' by the WEA. In 1921, they began to hold meetings at the Co-operative Society Hall on Railway Street, although WEA classes continued to be held at the St Mary's Settlement.
Connected to the Educational Settlement at St Mary's and the York Community Settlement Players.
See Also - York Settlement Community Players
See Also - York Educational Settlement

The Society was founded in 1788 by a group of York women led by philanthropists Faith Gray and Catherine Cappe. The original purpose was to provide a safety net for girls offering sick benefits, pensions and grants for medical care for those leaving York's Grey Coat and Spinning Schools, which they also ran. It continued to accept members up until the introduction of the NHS in 1948. Membership could be extended to other working women through a rule allowing limited nomination by honorary members. In 1976, the Society was dissolved and the funds divided among the remaining members. The remaining members of the Society continued to meet annually until 1984. Moyra F Johnson served as secretary of the Society from the early 1970s. The Society's office was situated in St William's College, York.

In 1897 the Corporation formally decided to supply the city with electricity. The Electric Lighting Committee recruited the first City Electrical Engineer in 1899 and oversaw the construction of a power station at Foss Islands which opened in 1900.
The Committee was renamed the Electricity Committee in 1904 because other uses of electricity had increased.
Instructed City Electrical Engineer.

The Society was founded in 1855 by local butchers who proposed holding an Annual Show of Dead Meat (Beef and Mutton) at Christmas. This was changed in 1897 to the Yorkshire Fat Cattle Show. Over the years classes were added and included Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry, Pigeons, Rabbits, Root Vegetables, Butter, Bread and Yorkshire Hams. The meetings were held mainly at the White Horse, Goodramgate, The City Arms, Fawcett Street and the Old George Hotel, Fossgate/Pavement. Due to the war and the subsequent expense and shortage of timber and feed, society activity declined. This continued until a lack of interest from members and the high costs of setting up a show eventually led to the society disbanding in November 1965.

The York Settlement Community Players grew out of the York St Mary's Educational Settlement which was established in 1909.
From 1922 they existed as an independent group.
The York Settlement Community Players grew out of the Educational Settlement at St Mary's, and was synonymous with it unti it set up as an independent group in 1922. See also York Educational Settlement 1909 - 1976
See Also - Workers Educational Association (WEA) York Branch
See Also - York Educational Settlement

Christopher Ware was born in March 1794 in St Michael le Belfrey parish in York He married Sarah Nicholson in 1823. He died in 1858.

The first Educational Settlement in York was founded at 31 St Mary's, York, in 1909. It became known as the 'St Mary's Settlement'. It was based there until 1932. In 1933, the Settlement relocated to 128 Holgate Road and became known as the Holgate Hill Settlement. It remained at this premises until at least 1975. In 1924 the York Settlement was recognized by the Board of Education as "a responsible Body under the Board of Education Adult Education Regulations for the purpose of submitting formal classes and receiving grants on respect of them." In 1944 it was recognized by the Local Education Act and Local Education Authorities.
During their existence, the York Educational Settlements, particularly the one at St Mary's, receieved considerable financial support from the Rowntree family, with Arnold Rowntree being a particularly active and influential trustee

The York Settlement had relationships with several other groups in the city, particularly those also working to provide adult education. This included the Workers Educational Settlement (WEA)'s York Branch, who held meetings, classes and lectures at the Settlement's St Mary's premesis. In 1949-1950, the Settlement was affiliated with the York Film Society.
The York Settlement Community Players grew out of the St Mary's settlement and was equated with it until the YSCP became an independent group in 1922.
York Community Settlement Players (YSCP) and Workers Education Association (WEA), York branch.
See Also - Workers Educational Association (WEA) York Branch
See Also - York Settlement Community Players

Founded in 1921.

The first Electrical Engineer was appointed by the Electric Lighting Committee in 1899 to oversee and manage the Corporation's electrical generating station at Foss Islands, which opened in 1900. In 1948 control passed to the North Eastern Electricity Board due to nationalisation and the Corporation ceased generating electricity.
Reported to the Electricity Committee.

On the 1st of January 1915, Quakers in York turned their meeting house in Clifford Street into a hospital for wounded soldiers. Previously it was used as temporary home for Belgian refugees who had fled their home country. The hospital was established to ease the shortage of hospitals in York and run jointly by the St John Ambulance Association and Voluntary Aid Detachment.
The York Quakers

The York Musical Theatre Company is York's longest established amateur theatre company. It was founded in 1902. It was originally called the York Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. It was renamed the York Musical Theatre Company in 2002.
The group gave its first performance in April 1903
The Society's meetings and performances were suspended during World War I 1914 - 1919, and reconvened in 1920. During World War II 1939-1945, performances were again suspended, but started up again from 1946 During the April 1942 air raid on York, many of the early records of the society(1902 - 1939) were destroyed.
The group gained charitable status in 1978.
See Also - York Musical Theatre Company

Mary Stuart was born on 23 June 1886 at Shirenewton, Monmouth, the daughter of Alfred Donald Stuart, a mercantile clerk, and his wife Emily. On 15 July 1912 she married John Armstrong Hughes, a clerk in Holy orders.

Mary Hughes came to York aged 38 when her husband, John, became warden of the St Mary's Educational Settlement. After leaving York she accompanied her husband to America, where he served as warden at Pendle Hill. During her time in York she worked with refugee groups in the city, and was a member of the York Refugee Committee.

After the death of her husband in 1942 she came back to York and lived with her daugher in New Earswick. Later they moved to Kirby Moorside in the Yorkshire Moors, before later returning to live in New Earswick.

Mary Hughes died on 20 April 1955 at The Retreat, York, aged 68.

An occasional committee setup by the Local Board of Health Committee in 1854 when the current contract for the supply of gas lighting was coming to an end.

The Hospital/House of Blessed Mary and St Martin was founded by members of gild of St Anthony in 1446. The charity continued as a corporation charity after the Dissolution. The building, known as St Anthony's Hall was being used as a house of correction in 1646, housed the York Bluecoat School between 1705-1947 and the Borthwick Institute for Archives between 1953-2005

St Sampson's Old People's Centre opened in 1984.

Formed as a merger of the two competing local private gas companies. The Monk Bridge site was extended in 1847 and the Hungate site sold in 1850. The works and supply areas were extended various times by act of Parliament. There was tension between the private company and the Corporation who sought to buy it in 1871 (unsuccessfully) and attempted to block its expansion in Parliament in 1912.
Formed by merger of York Gas Light Company and York Union Gas Light Company in 1844. Changed name to York Gas Company in 1912.

Clementhorpe Community Association was established in 1984.

Formed in January 1837 to compete with the established York Gas Light Company. Its works were operational from October 1837 at Hungate, next to the Foss. The two companies were amalgamated in 1844.
Amalgamated with York Gas Light Company in 1844 to form the York United Gas Light Company.

Earswick Parish Council was officially created when the Local Government Act of 1894 formed Parish Councils. Earswick officially became part of York Unitary Authority in 1996.

Kexby Parish Council was officially created when the Local Government Act of 1894 formed Parish Councils. The new Parish Councils assumed responsibility for local civic and social welfare which was previously managed through ecclesiastical parishes. At the time of its creation, Kexby was included in Escrick Rural District. In 1935 it became part of Derwent rural district and in 1974 became part of the Selby district of North Yorkshire. Kexby officially became part of York Unitary Authority in 1996.

Formed in 1823 by 104 subscribing citizens. During 1828 the City Commissioners objected to the prices and returned briefly to oil lighting. In 1837 a rival company, York Union Gas Light Company was founded as competition but the two companies were amalgamated in 1844.
Amalgamated with York Union Gas Light Company in 1844 to become York United Gas Light Company.

Member of the Cabinet.

Member of the Cabinet.

Member of the Cabinet.

Tourism was transferred from the Leader portfolio to this Cabinet Member in August 2012.
Member of the Cabinet.

Member of the Cabinet.

Known as Cabinet Member for Corporate Services from May 2011-August 2012.
Member of the Cabinet.

Known as Cabinet Member for City Strategy between May 2011- August 2012.
Member of the Cabinet.

Reported to Parks Committee (in various incarnations). Delegated functions received from Education, Highways and Housing Departments.

Managed Education Department. In the mid twentieth century the department was responsible for secondary and primary education places, York Technical College, school meals, staffing, purchasing, school health service, caretaking and cleaning, monitored attendence, youth employment service and child guidance clinic. Supported by a deputy and large staf.

Managed Housing and Estates department with responsibility for applications, lettings, inspections and repairs.

The corporation took over the navigation from its private trustees in 1853. It repaired and improved the navigation.
Function transferred from Trustees of the Foss navigation (Original) in 1853

The committee of trustees appointed in 1833 were reappointed by the corporation when it took formal responsibility for the navigation.
Function transferred from Trustees of the Ouse navigation (Original) in 1835.

York and District Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults was formally registered as a charity on 11 July 1966. The society saw changes to its constitution in March 1980 and December 2002, and during its period of existence became affiliated with the wider Mencap charity. Its name also later changed to York Mencap. It’s objectives at the time of creation were to relieve, advance the education of, and advance religion among, the mentally handicapped. The charity was removed from the charities register on 9 June 2005, when it was formally wound-up.

Function gained from City of York Tramways Company in 1886. Function transferred to corporation in 1909.

Opened first tram line (horse-drawn) in York from Castle bridge to Fulford in 1880.
Function transferred to City of York Tramways Company in 1886.

Founded as the Mechanics Institute in 1827. Following the Technical Instruction Act 1899 which permitted the corporation to fund technical instruction, the corporation bought the assets of the Institute and ran it directly. The library stock formed the first free library in York which the corporation opened in 1891.
See also Art Master. Managed by Technical Instruction Committee (in various incarnations).

A School Clinic was established in 1908. All school children in municipal schools were inspected and treatment provided including optical and dental. A number of staff were employed including school nurses and a dental nurse.
Reported to School Medical Officer. See also Medical Officer of Health

The 1948 Children Act made it the responsibility of local authorities to provide social care for children without parents or parents unable to provide suitable care. A Children's Officer was appointed to head a social work Children's department.
Reported to Children Commitee (also known as Children's Committee)

The historic rights of the corporation to manage trade (including markets) in the city developed over the centuries as evidenced by various royal charters. This committee was created in 1827 in order to address the inadaquate provision and management of market space, and obtained an Act in 1833 for improving markets in the city. The area between Pavement and St Sampsons square was cleared for the new Parliament Street market which opened in 1836. The Act was superceded by the York Extension and Improvement Act 1884.
Instructed Inspector of Markets and Markets Superintendent.

Instructed by Medical Officer of Health, Local Board of Health and Chief Sanitary Inspector. Supported by Assistant Inspectors of Nuisances.

Initially a single post, this expanded to a discrete department in the mid twentieth century with a chief inspector at its head.

Established in 1627 to specifically collect rents.
Reported to chamberlains or the city. Merged with city husband in 1710 to form one official responsible for city property management and rent collection, but the term continues to appear in later records.

Responsibility for sanitary conditions of factories transferred to Sanitary Inspector in 1921.
See Also - City of York Tramways Company

Became the chief cemetery in York after pre-existing city burial grounds were closed in 1854, and the cemetery was extended several times. An additional one was opened in Fulford in 1915 which also took military burials. The company went into voluntary liquidation in 1966 and went to the Crown. It remained derelict until the establishment of the York Cemetery Trust in 1987.
Function ceased in 1966. Cemetary reopened by York Cemetery Trust in 1987.

Created by private act of Parliament in 1793, the trustees were a private body, funded by tolls on goods carried. Suffered financial and management difficulties. The corporation obtained an Act of Parliament to take over the navigation in 1853.
Function transferred to corporation in 1853.

Created by private act of Parliament in 1727. Trustees consisted of corporation members and officials but was legally independent. Constructed Naburn Lock in 1757 and built a controversial banquetting house there in 1823.
Function transferred to corporation in 1835 (Ouse Navigation Committee).

First appointed in 1873 by Urban Sanitary Committee. As duties increased, so did size and activities of the Inspection department. Initially responsible for environmental nuisances, functions widened in the early twentieth century with the passing of legislation on food hygiene.
Reported to Urban Sanitary Committee (1873-1900) and its successor the Health Committee (1901-1974). Head of the Sanitary Inspection Department. Gained responsibility for factory sanitary conditions from Factory Inspector in 1921.

Instructed by Markets Committee.

Founded as the Mechanics Institute in 1827. In 1838 its name was changed to The Institute of Popular Science and Literature. A purpose built hall was opened in 1846. In 1885 a new building at Clifford Street was opened which incorporated the library and art school. In 1891 the corporation bought the Institute to be used as a technical school. The library stock formed the first free library in York which the corporation opened in 1891.
Became City of York Institute of Science and Art in 1891.
See Also - York Mechanics' Friendly Society
See Also - York Mechanics' Friendly Society

Joined with corporation in 1934 to form a joint committee to run bus services in and around York.

Contracts for the sewerage work were finalised in 1891, and a new engineer, inspector of works and inspector of construction of machinery were appointed. The work was split into multiple contracts, No.1 Pumping Station and Engines, No. 2 City Sewers, No.3 Pumping Station buildings, No. 4 Rising Main and Outfall Works at Naburn and No. 5 Sludge Pressing plant.. The work cost more than expected and application was made to the Local Government Board in 1895 for a extension of the capital expediture loan repayment period.
See also Drainage and Sanitary Improvement Act Committee (1852-1888)

Traditionally the parish was the unit of local organisation in terms of street cleaning, lighting etc. This changed in York in 1825 with the introduction of independent City Commissioners. Later, the corporation Streets and Building Committee took over these responsibilities alongside the corporations existing function of maintaining the city bridges, highways and public buildings.
Some functions previously carried out by City Commissioners. Instructed City Surveyor and Engineer.

Responsible for the erection of a new toll bridge south of Clifford's tower, known as Skeldergate bridge.

Function gained from Electricity and Tramways Committee in 1923. Shared provision of bus services with West Yorkshire Motor Car Company from 1934.

Reported to Tramways Committee (1910-1911), Electricity and Tramways Committee (1911-1923)

Following local government reorganisation in 1974, the City Architect kept his title but was transferred to North Yorkshire County Council. The post came back to CYC in 1996.
Gained specialist functions from City Engineer/ Surveyor. Instructed by committees of the council. See also City Engineer/ Surveyor.

At different times the term City Engineer or Surveyor appear to have referred to broadly the same functions. In 1850 the joint post of City Engineer and Surveyor was formally instituted. Other titles such as Planning Officer were incorporated into the post at various times.
Instructed by all council committees as required.

Originally responsible for practical upkeep of the city walls, the post became defunct but continued in name. As late as the eighteenth century, chamberlain's had to pay a fine for exoneration from the office.
See also Bridgemasters and Chameberlains.

Originally responsible for practical upkeep of bridges, the post became defunct but continued in name. As late as the eighteenth century, chamberlain's had to pay a fine for exoneration from the office.
See also Chamberlains and Muremasters.

Originally Sub-committee of York Education Committee. Renamed Youth Employment Sub-Committee in 1949

Oversight and rationalisation of school-aged education was begun in York by the York School Board in 1889. The function was transferred to the council in 1902/3 when it was established as the new LEA (Local Education Authority). A provisional committee was established in January 1903, and the formal committee took over in July.

The first municipal secondary school (Queen Anne's School for Girls) was opened in 1910. Mill Mount (Girls) and Nunthorpe (Boys) were added in 1920. The 1902 Education Act provided for the funding and management of church schools by LEAs and improved resources and standardisation. A proportion of funds were provided centrally from the Board of Education in Whitehall, which advised, approved or suggested actions to be taken by LEAs.
Function received from York School Board (1889-1902). Supported by Secretary of Education.

The York Education Committee was founded in 1903 and comprised of a mixture of council and co-opted members. It was a busy committee that operated through a number of long-lasting sub-committees. This official was created to support the committee.
Reported to York Education Committee (1903-1970s).

The 1948 Children Act made it the responsibility of local authorities to provide social care for children without parents or parents unable to provide suitable care. The committee and department were formed in 1948 with council members. Voluntary organisations working with "deprived children" were invited to nominate representatives for co-opted members. The committee considered appointing a joint Children Officer shared with the East Riding but both authorities decided against it.
Function created by legislation in 1948. Instructed Children's Officer.

By the 16th/17th centuries pasture-masters for each ward administered the common lands. Traditionally appointed by Wardmote Courts, but occasionally by the corporation. Following inclosure, pasturemasters were appointed by the corporation, but this was challenged in 1835. In the nineteenth century, appointments switched between the corporation and wardmote courts/freemen a number of times, alongside disputes over corporation control and ownership of the lands themselves.
Appointed by/reported to Wardmote Court and/or Corporation. See also Freemen (Reformed) and Freemen (Unreformed)

The school of art was formed from two art schools which merged in 1905, one in St Leonard's and one created as part of the Mechanics Institute. Following the 1899 Technical Education Act, the city took over the Institute in 1891 and ran its own schools of art and science. The art school moved to the art gallery building in Exhibition square around the early 20th centry.
Reported to Technical Instruction Committee (in various incarnations).