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The civic archive is the historical archive of the City of York Council and predecessor bodies. The oldest surviving record dates from 1155. It is the archive of the civic life of the city and will continue to grow and take in new records to preserve the present for the future.

The collection is rich and varied record of everyday life in the city of York over many centuries. The core collection consists of the records of governance and adminstration, such as council minutes from 1476, chamberlain's accounts from 1398 and the minutes of dozens of committees on subjects as diverse as air raids, libraries, public assistance and markets.

The collection also includes the records of departments (from the twentieth century) and arms length bodies whose responsibilites were transferred to or from the council over time, such as the trustees for the Ouse and the Foss.

To explore record creators such as committees or civic officials search for 'corporate bodies' in the catalogue, where you can find detailed information and a link to the records of each. This is a good way of unpicking the complex web of departments and committees which changed their names often whilst continuing to carry out the same function.

This catalogue is a selection of the civic archive showing the records which are currently available for access only. Further historical and modern records will be added as they are catalogued and processed into the new archive store at York Explore, including records post 1974.

Records containing the personal data of individuals living or presumed to be living are restricted under the Data Protection Act.

Various collected documents relating to York, including a copy of Papal Bull of 1223, public notices, charters, a deed for Archbishop Holgate's school, a notice of survey of River Ouse and a rough draft account of visit of Prince Albert to York in 1838.

Various documents collected by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society relating to the history of York, York property and land, and prominent York individuals. The collection includes historical notes and accounts, and original documents collected by the society in the course of their antiquarian research. These original documents include estate correspondence and papers, land and property deeds, civic and official documents, guild records, personal and business papers, papers of Eustace Strickland, papers of the Whitehead family, and papers from the Yorkshire Musical Festival.

Notably, the collection includes YPS/5/1 [c. 1525-1550]: The guild's own manuscript copy of The Scrivener' Play, originally performed as part of the cycle of York Mystery Plays, also know as 'The Sykes Manuscript. This is the only known surviving guild copy of a York Mystery Play.

Papers of the Robinson family, primarily covering legal matters. The documents are organised roughly chronologically. Please see series level descriptions for further information about the contents of this collection.

This extensive collection comprises legal papers and probate documentation relating to the clients of Gray, Dodsworth & Co, over at least three centuries. Clients were not solely York-based, and the papers relate to a wide geographical area across northern England and London predominantly, including papers on local manors. The collection has been catalogued in the order in which it was found, with bundles of documents catalogued together to maintain the original order. In some cases, this means that the inter-relationship between the documents in a bundle is currently unknown.

Please note that numbers GDC/26, GDC/35-38, GDC/134-135 and GDC/188 were not used.

Please see series, file and item level descriptions for more detailed information about the contents of this collection.

Letter book of Henry Hastings (c1535-1595), who became the 3rd Earl of Huntingdon in 1560. He served as Lord President of the Council of the North from 1572-1590 and also Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire from 1586 to 1595. N.B. This is a microfilm copy of the original manuscript, which is held at the Huntington Library in San Marino, USA.

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Includes:
Swann Family records, mainly deeds, late 16th - 19th centuries;
Will of Robert Carr (father of John Carr) of Horbury, 1756;
Papers relating to the Whitaker Family of Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire, 18th - 19th century;
Sale conditons of estates belonging to William Taylor, a bankrupt, 1807.

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Includes books of ordinances, account files, minute books, correspondence files, file relating to William Audin, papers regarding the visit of HRH The Princess Royal to the Butchers' Guild meeting, annual excursion notice, papers relating to the Worshipful Company of Butchers in London, dissertations based on the Company, Breeches Bible, gold and enamel medal, papers relating to the York Mystery Plays and the Company's role within them and scrapbook compiled by Mrs Audin.

At present this collection only includes one deed of Acomb Windmill, in Latin.

This collection contains letters and manuscripts which do not form a collection in themselves. They were compiled by various authors. Please see item level descriptions for more detailed information.

Papers relating to the Gray family of York including geneological information, legal papers, accounts, correpondence as well as extensive diaries and travel journals. Also includes some further records relating to the Cawood family.

Rolled plan of the Manor of Dringhouses, showing enclosed and unenclosed land in the village. Includes the names of landowners and plot farmers. Also includes a surrogate copy.

Records largely consisting of research and lecture/talks notes created by members of Acomb Local History Group; 2000-Present. Research is focussed around local buildings, locations and people in Acomb and has often involved records held by the City Archives (now Explore York Libraries and Archives) and the Bothwick Institute.

Collection mainly contains financial and operational records including burial registers, grave plan books, ledgers, cash books and various accounts books as well as day books and diaries of interments. Also includes correspondence, plans and title deeds leading up to the company's liquidation in 1966 and the subsequent development and ongoing management of the Cemetery by York Cemetery Trust and the Friends of York Cemetery.

A paid research service to assist researchers in indentifying names and graves is available via the database held by York Cemetery Trust. See their website for further details - www.yorkcemetery.org.uk

Includes records relating to governance of the Union; indoor relief (workhouse relief); outdoor relief; the collection of relief; settlement and removal; child welfare; hospitals and asylums; public health; assessment and rating; civil registration; the general administration of the Union (including staffing); financial records; legal case paper and summonses; and records relating to properties and buildings owned or tenanted by the Union.

Many of the records relating to indoor relief and outdoor relief contain information on individuals.

Includes records of the York Public Assistance Committee, which was responsible for the administration of the Poor Law from 1930-1948.

Collection contains a Manor Court Roll from 1655 relating to the Manor of Poppleton court and land holdings. Also includes transcription and photocopy of the document, ordnance survey maps of the area, MBE relating to Ronald Hansell, sale particulars for seven farms, photocopied land award and display boards created by the History Society.

This collection comprises various papers and deeds collected by and connected with George Leeman including those relating to property and land, legal and financial matters as well as family notices and records.

Includes invoice book, ledgers, property papers and plans, financial papers, photographs and glass plate negatives, examples of stationary, half-yearly catalogues, advertising signs and materials, fabric samples, printed books, papers relating to the incorporation of the company and its winding up, sales catalogues, legal papers, newspaper cuttings, third-party advertisements, Midland Bank coin bags, papers relating to the involvement of the Harding family with the Merchant Taylors Company, Econasign stencilling set and framed photograph of the premises under construction. Please see series level descriptions for more detailed information about the contents of this collection.

The collection comprises a printed edition of John Guillim's 'Display of Heraldry' and correspondence and accounts relating to the business of William Peckitt.

Legal papers relating to clients of Munby and Scott, York solicitors, including probate materials, papers relating to the Manor of Acomb and Holgate with Clifton and property deeds relating to Petergate, Silver Street and Marygate. Also includes property

At present this collection only comprises his Survey of the River Ouse.

Includes legal papers relating to transactions involving the Hall and its land, and small sections of maps. Also includes a field book detailing the size and value of estates owned by the occupants of the hall.

The items in this collection were deposited in the York Reference Library primarily, by a number of different people, many of whom are now unknown. The cuttings are arranged into series by the year in which they were catalogued.

Contains one scrapbook of correspondence and miscellania, one file of loose correspondence and two legal deeds.

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The collection currently consists of one item - a manuscript copy of 'Analecta Eboracensis'.

The papers of Teasdale solicitors were found co-located within the papers of Gray, Dodsworth & Co, however no direct link has yet been found to prove that Teasdale was a constituent business. This collection comprises legal papers for individuals and properties, most likely in connection with clients of the business, as well as receipted household accounts for Mr Teasdale, and accounts for two customers of the businss. In addition, the collection includes a number of boxes relating to the collection of bad debts on behalf of J Terry and Sons Ltd. At times in its history the business was also referred to as simply Teasdale solicitors. Please see series level descriptions for more detailed information about the contents of this collection.

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At present the collection only comprises one notebook, compiled by Cossins as he worked on his 'New and exact plan of the City of York.' Also includes supplementary paperwork concerning the notebook, including a copies of the original sale catalogue from 1993, as well as a complete set of photographic prints of the notebook.

This collection contains minute books, accounts and various scrapbooks of the York Assembly Rooms.

This collection currently comprises one volume of drawings, primarily created by Edwin Ridsdale Tate. Also includes family papers regarding George Benson, such as genealogical information, passports and family pedigrees.

The collection currently comprises one three-volume set of Drake's Travels in Italy, written in his own hand, and one two-volume set of Drake's history of York's 'Eboracum' owned by Drake and including handwritten annotations.

Includes copybook of Thomas Read Whitaker, five letters (mainly from Thomas Evans to Samuel Hailstone, solicitor) and the marriage settlement of John Telford and Elizabeth Hailstone.

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Papers of the Munby family and related families of York (including the Forth, Woodhouse, and Pearson families). Includes:

-Diaries and Household Accounts 1778-1885
-Professional Papers and Correspondence 1747-1911
-Genealogical Material 1734 - 1920
-Family papers and correspondence, 1700s-1920

These papers are largely written by and related to the female branch of the Munby family (the Woodhouses and Forth lines) but some to relate to the male members of the families involved.

Papers of William Camidge, his son Frederick Adolphus Camidge and grandson William Gordon Camidge. The papers include correspondence, newspaper cuttings and photographs as well as a large number of manuscripts written by William Camidge.

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Volume contains copies of leases of land, quarries and mines in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, including the manors of Brompton, Cowick & Snaith, Goathland, Lound (in Nottinghamshire), Rosedale, Snaiton, Tanshelf as well as the bailiwick of Barsetlow, the bailiwick of Tickhill, the bailiwick of Trent, the honour of Pontefract and the honor of Pickering.

Includes abstracts of title, leases, releases and conyances relating to the titles of the Simpson and Matterson families to the property now known as Treasurer's House.

Papers of John Goodricke and Nathaniel and Edward Pigott, astronomers. Includes:
-Papers of John Goodricke
-Papers of Nathaniel Pigott
-Papers of Edward Pigott
-Letters of John Goodricke and Nathaniel and Edward Pigott
-Printed material by other individuals

Includes award volumes for Bishopthorpe, Marston Moor, Nether Poppleton, Acomb, Holgate, Knapton, Tockwith, Dringhouses, Thorpe Arch and Hessay, as well as awards (and in some cases plans) for Heslington, Fulford, Acomb and Holgate, Naburn, Rufforth, Askham Bryan, Heworth and Walmgate. Please see individual descriptions for more information.

Administrative records and publicity material relating to both the original York Musical Society (c. 1767-1855) and to the reformed York Musical Society (from 1876). Also includes some research files relating to the history of the societies and to significant performers and conductors.

Includes minutes of meetings of various committees and of annual general meetings, financial records and account books, annual reports, administrative papers and correspondence, papers relating to performance and rehearsal administration, concert programmes, lists of members, papers relating to the history of the society, general files, floppy disks and a small amount of promotional material. Also contains editions of the Musical Times. Please see file and item level descriptions for more detailed information about the contents of this collection.

The volumes for 1779 and 1780 are missing.

One volume which contains information about customer 'pledges' made between 1777-1778. Information includes customer names and addresses, dates and types of items pledged, a list of pledged watches, types of clothes and fabrics and the amounts paid.

The collection includes manuscripts for Hargrove's 'York Biographies', as well as volumes of handwritten notes regaring the history of York more generally, including Yorkshire people and places. An index to all the volumes can be found in HAR/8.

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Includes a very extensive collection of correspondence, primarily sent to William Gray Junior as Secretary of the Association. Also includes returns from various regional areas, an address to the York Association, 1781, petitions, publicity materials, resolutions of the Committee, forms of the association, canvassing books and papers for the 1780 and 1784 elections, bills and vouchers and additional papers.

This collection contains notes and drawings kept and produced by William White.

At present this collection only comprises business correspondence, mainly to Robert. Kite & Co., London, and Miln Haswell & Co, Agent at Batavia, Java. Also includes copies of some legal documents.

Records relating to the setting up and running of several Church of England Sunday Schools in York. It includes meeting minutes, finances, management of school buildings, school registers, library and teaching materials. This collection also includes the records of the John Dodsworth Educational Trust, some school of which the Committee managed.

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The collection contains papers from the society's inception until its dissolution, with a small amount up until 1984. It includes registers of members and society rules as well as finances including details about pensions, sick pay, funds and investments. It also contains miscellaneous documents, many of which concern amendments to society rules as well as correspondence, newspaper cuttings and reports. It also contains a publication by co-founder Catherine Cappe.

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Tansley was a collector, primarily of philately and postal history. Includes one letter and 15 receipts.

This collection currently comprises one autograph and seal.

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This collection includes household and personal account books for the Morrell family. The division into personal and household was apparently made by the family and original order has been preserved.

The account books chiefly concern Robert Morrell (1799-1867) and his wife Anne, nee Wilson (1794-1873).

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At present this collection only comprises a set of employee salaried staff record book. In some cases the books have been disbound and repackaged by the archivist. The volumes include names of employees, dates of birth, insurance numbers (where applicable) as well as details of positions worked and grades. Also includes details of salaries and bonuses achieved. The volumes are predominantly from the 20th century, but in some cases relate to employees born in the 19th century.

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This collection consists of one volume, entitled 'The Rebellion in England between 1640 and 1653', comprising notes taken from the York Corporation House Books and additional sources.

Includes two minute books, list of subscribers and posters relating to a lost dog; stolen cucumbers; and slaughtered sheep.

Includes marriage papers and Co-operative accounts for the Mason family, as well as business correspondence, rates and tax demands, government circulars sent to Miss Caroline Place, personal letters, papers and writings of Miss Caroline Place, correspondence addressed to Captain Place, drawings and photographs, advertisements, ephemera, photographs and postcards, correspondence regarding the Lych Gate in Skelton, requisition form for library books and newsagent's account for the Evening Press. Please see series, file and item level descriptions for more detailed information about the contents of this series.

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This collection currently comprises two volumes of material for a book entitled 'Towards a history of York.'

Includes photographs of the shop, one photograph of a sports team, photograph of a Freemasons' day trip, painting of St Martin's Coney Street and additional photographs.

At present this collection only comprises the family bible.

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This collection primarily includes papers of John Ward Knowles and his son John Alder Knowles, which form a research collection predominantly on churches (including York Minster), glass manufacture and stained glass, as well as original design artwork (KNO/1-24). The collection also includes a small amount of business papers relating to the glass painting business they founded and managed - J W Knowles & Sons (KNO/23). In addition to the research collection are personal papers relating to both John Ward Knowles and John Alder Knowles (KNO/25 and 26), as well as items relating to their relative Christopher Milward (KNO/27), a former Lord Mayor of York. Some of the items can be attributed to the family as a whole but not individual family members (KNO/28).

Three large ledgers covering the years 1804-1823, 1816-1851 and 1903-1919.

Many of these chapbooks are undated, but all appear to be from the first quarter of the 19th century. They were printed and sold in York, and primarily aimed at children and adultsin the city. The chapbooks aimed at children all contain lavish woodcuts as illustrations throughout, and many contain a full Roman printed alphabet and Italian printed alphabet at either the beginning or the end. The chapbooks for adults do not contain illustrations.

The first 72 chapbooks are of a very small format (referred to as Penny Books) whereas the remaining nine are a larger format.

Please see individual item descriptions for more information.

Items held in a private collection by John Barefoot including documents on Haxby Coronation celebrations and a Tract on Slavery for York.

The files all appear to be correspondence received by Thomas Allis, and articles and research compiled by him, during the course of his working life.

Documents relating to the running of the society and includes minute books, account books, reports, attendance registers and accounts for meetings and expenses. Also includes scrap books containing newspaper cuttings relating to election notices, events and meetings as well as an address by Henry Lascelles.

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This collection consists of the diaries of Ebenezer Brown Allen, copies of letters and prayers of Samuel J. Allen, historical notes and sketches, poems, printed lectures and sermons.

Diary containing a variety of recipes, stories and poems, records of births, marriages and deaths of the Ware family and other individuals including members of the Royal Family, newspaper cuttings, some financial records (mostly receipts and notes of purchases and payments made or received by Ware), accounts of journeys, and papers and notes relating to various legal and business matters, some of which Ware was involved in himself.

This collection consists of letters addressed to various York people concerning a variety of topics.

Includes annual reports, annual reports of the Schools Savings Bank and Savings Associations, papers relating to new premises, joint stock prospectus, notice of banks which have stopped trading and account of the York Savings Bank.

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Collection consists of recipe books for pills and perfumes in addition to documents relating to finances such as ledgers, cash books and cost books. It also includes a staff register, a pharmaceutical journal and a book entitled "Phillips' Pharmacopoeia". Also includes staff photographs and one scrap books.

The collection includes various documents relating to the Society, such as minute books, visiting books, and reports and correspondence from the Ladies Committee. It also features annual reports from other similar institutions nationwide.

Correspondence between William Etty and a variety of other individuals on subjects such as art, his work, travel, family and current events.

Letters, primarily to or from William Hey, from his family members. The letters cover the period of him being in school, at university and in work, and are written by a number of relatives. All the letters includes details of family life - and death - and local news. The Hey family was intermarried with the Gray family of Grays solicitors, York, and associated papers can be found in the business collection (reference GDC) and the family collection (reference GFP).

Documents relating to the planning and organisation of the festivals, including programmes, finances, correspondence, tickets and advertisements. Also includes various additional documents including lists of performers and those attending and running the festivals.

Papers of the York City (Improvement) Commissioners. Includes minutes; general correspondence; election papers; financial papers; records relating to the administration of the general rate; correspondence relating to streets, drainage and lighting; policing papers and legal papers.

Currently this collection only includes numbers under arms and a note of position and exercises.

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Papers and photographs of the Cundalls (and related families) of Acaster Malbis. The collection includes legal documents, business and personal correspondence, press cuttings and a large selection of family photographs.

Collection contains two prescription books including customer names and their prescribed medication.

Records relating to the operational activities of Clifton Township and Peter Hill's Charity.

Includes Overseers' accounts and minutes of Parish Council meetings.

Records of astronomical, barometric and meteorological readings taken by Smyth, largely using the weather station and observatory in York Museum Gardens. The collection contains a comprehensive set of daily and summary weather readings for York. Also included are 3 photograph albums consisting of cloud formation images, taken from Smyth's home in Ripon in the 1890s.

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Collection contains one minute book.

This collection consists of one volume - a handwritten autobiography of Oswald Allen's life.

Currently includes five railway plans and one book of reference.

Collection contains two minute books (1837-1857) and seven other volumes relating to accounts including information on receipts, cash and subscription (1818-1867). YCS/2 is currently missing.

This collection currently comprises one share transfer ledger, and one photocopy of the Proprietor's register.

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Samuel Holberry was a member of the Chartist movement and was imprisoned in York Castle as a result. This collection comprises correspondence he received whilst in prison. Also includes letters received from John Cooper, a family friend, from his relative

It is believed that John Cooper was a relative or friend of Samuel Holberry.

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At present this collection only comprises a family Bible.

Includes details of the work completed by Frederick Bell, architects. The drawings are arranged chronologically by date.

Album of formal portrait photographs of various families and individuals from York. Some photographs have names on the reverse, however most are unidentified. Some photographs have been taken by a York photographic company. An attached handwritten sheet includes details of research undertaken on certain individuals featured in the album.

Includes one family bible and supplementary papers relating to the history of the volume, as well as the will of Nicholas Chicken, father of Richard.

The collection consists of signed postcards, original letters and framed items collected by Reginald Hunt, a member of a Yorkshire brewing family. Items relate to an array of personalities of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including European politicians, military leaders, European composers, European and American actors and actresses and sports personalities.

Papers of the Aitken family, principally relating to Henry Martin Aitken, his wife Elizabeth Aitken, and their children. Most of the collection consists of personal letters between members of the family sent between 1851 and 1896, but also includes some associated items, including collages, cards, and a mourning card, as well as some papers from the late 20th century relating to the genealogy of the Aitken family.

Many of the letters include detailed accounts of their personal lives, visits to Europe, and other events of significance, such as a visit to the Great Exhibition in London in 1851.

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Letters and schedules relating to books and papers belonging to Sumner. Includes:
-Memo - Sumner to Mrs Fowkes re a Mr Wilmott who had enquired as to the whearabouts of scheduled items on a list Sumner had provided him with, undated
-Letter - Sumner to Rev. Charles Wellbeloved re a schedule of books, deeds, and papers in Sumner's possession, 20.03.1857
-Schedule of books, deeds, and papers relating to the city of York in Sumner's personal library at Beverley.

Includes an act to establish the bank, memorandum and articles of association and covering letter.

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Collection of press cuttings from York newspapers relating to local events.

Includes minute books of the school (previously known as Salem Chapel branch school), 1926 class register, notice of a public meeting about the schools, and receipt for the supply of tea to Hungate Mission School by G E Barton, York.

Includes marriage settlement and additional legal papers.

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At present this collection only comprises a statement of accounts from 1863.

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Collection includes material relating to the business of Fairbank and Sons, Surveyors and Engineers, which mainly consists of correspondence in addition to genealogical research into the Fairbank family.

Records relating to the finances and operations of R W Anderson and Sons Ltd. Also includes some pattern books, club colour books and a selection of printed material used for reference by the company.