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George Stell Sykes, Birth
George Stell Sykes, the son of John Sykes and Ann Stell Sykes
of Adwalton, was baptized on
March 12, 1826 in the Chapelry of Drighlington, parish of Birstall, Yorkshire, England.
Adwalton was a hamlet in the township of Drighlington. The records show that sometimes George
Sykes, his father, John Sykes, and other relatives
were simply listed in "Drighlington".
George Stell Sykes, Occupation
George Stell Sykes was a master cordwainer.
His father, and two of his brothers were either shoemakers or cordwainers.
The name cordwainer comes from the fact that early cordwainers worked with cordovan leather.
Cordovan is a fine, soft leather which originated in the Moorish city of Cordoba in Spain.
Cordovan was known as the
leather of kings. A cordwainer works only with new leather and made a high quality boot or
shoe.
In 1841, when George Stell Sykes was 15, the town he lived in, Adwalton,
had a population of 1028 people. There were 14 shoemakers and 4 shoemakers apprentices.
One of these apprentices was George Stell Sykes.
He was listed in the 1851 and 1881 censuses as a cordwainer.
He was listed in the 1861 census as a cordwainer and cloth dealer.
He was listed as an auctioneer at the death of his son Benjamin in 1870.
He was listed in the 1871 census as an auctioneer and valuer.
He was listed in the 1891 census as a boot maker.
He was listed on his death certificate (1898) and the death certificate of his wife, Sarah Walker
Sykes (1910),
as a master boot maker.
Marriage
George Sykes, minor, bachelor, shoemaker, of Wortley,
the son of John Sykes, shoemaker married Sarah Walker, "full age",
widow,
of Wortley, daughter of Robert Walker, slubber on January 16, 1847 married in
the parish
church Parish of Leeds, after banns (Civil Record). The copy of the civil record does not include the actual signatures
but indicates that George Sykes signed his name and that Sarah Walker signed with
her mark. The witnesses were Joseph Clough and R H Pickard.
I wrote to the Family History section of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society to
ask for their help in finding Sarah's first husband and to question
the designation "full age" (Other records indicate that Sarah was born circa 1829, which
would mean she was about 18
years old at the time of the marriage).
If she was born in 1829, how did
she have time to marry, become a
widow, and marry again by 1847?
They suggested that I do not have the correct marriage certificate because
all other records indicate that Sarah was two years younger than George. I have not
not found any other records connecting Sarah or George to Wortley. Wortley is located several
miles northeast of Adwalton, to the west of the City of Leeds. It is possible, however,
that Sarah was
living in Wortley before her widowhood. There is also the fact that many marriages I have found so
far occurred in a parish other than the home parish of either party who was marrying.
After some consideration, I have decided that there are more things right with this record than wrong
with it:
- The indexes for the vital records indicate that this was the only marriage between
a George Sykes and a Sarah Walker anywhere in England between 1845 and 1847.
- George Sykes had the correct occupation in keeping with the other records for him.
- George Sykes had the correct father and he had the correct occupation in keeping with the
other known records for him.
- Sarah Walker had the correct father and he had the correct occupation in keeping with
the other known records for him.
- I have found lots of other marriages that did not occur in the known home parish
of either the bride or the groom.
- It is not unheard of for women to marry at a young age. It is possible for Sarah to
have had a very short marriage and very short widowhood.
It is also quite possible that "widow" and "full age" were clerical errors.
The bottom line is that the only thing that is really troublesome is Sarah's age.
The parish records are not available on microfilm for 1847.
Children
I have only found three baptismal records for the children of George and Sarah Sykes.
The information on the births of the other children was taken from census information,
tombstone inscriptions, civil records and family information.
Two of their children, Samuel and Ann, were baptized in the Adwalton Zion Church,
a nonconformist congregation.
At the time of the baptism, Samuel was five years old. Civil record for births, marriages
and death were kept in England starting in 1837.
George Stell Sykes and Sarah Walker had:
- Oliver Walker Sykes (1847-1864)
Birth:- Church Record: Oliver Walker Sykes was baptized on December 26, 1847 in
Birstall parish, the son of George and Sarah Sykes (Birstall Parish Bishop's Transcripts).
- Civil Record: Oliver Walker Sykes, son of George Sykes, cordwainer, and Sarah Sykes,
formerly Walker, was born on October 1, 1847, birth reported by his father,
George Sykes of Adwalton, Drighlington.
Note: Sarah Walker Sykes had a brother named Oliver.
Death: Oliver Sykes, age 16, son of George Stell Sykes, cordwainer,
died on April 11,1864, Birstall, of "cerebritis syncope". The death was reported by
George Stell Sykes of
Birstall
"present at the death" on April 12, 1864.
Oliver was buried in Birstall.
See Sykes tombstone below.
Note: According to the Encyclopedia Britannica "syncope" means "a partial of complete temporary suspension of respiration and circulation
due to cerebral ischemia" (swelling).
- Samuel Sykes, butcher/labourer (1850-1901+) and Caroline Tolson
Birth:
- Civil Record:
Samuel Sykes, son of George Sykes, cordwainer, and Sarah Sykes, formerly Walker, was
born on February 9, 1850 in Adwalton, Drighlington, birth reported by his father, George Sykes.
- Baptism:
On April 1, 1855, Samuel and Ann Sykes, the children of "George Sykes, cordwainer, and
Sarah Sykes of Adwalton" were baptized in the Adwalton Zion Chapel.
Marriage: Samuel Sykes married Caroline Tolson (?) in England before 1874. They were listed
in the 1881 census in England. There is no listing for the marriage in the Civil Records (Free BMD)
under
Tolson. Tolson was the name of their first child and was
also the name given as Caroline's maiden name at the time of her death.
Occupation: - Listed in the 1881 census in England as a butcher.
- Laborer at the birth of of his children in 1884 and 1886 in Toronto
- Pipe fitter at the birth of his son in 1889
- Labourer at the birth of his daughter in 1893
Children:
- Tolson
Birth: Tolson Sykes, Year of Registration:, 1880, Quarter of Registration:,
Jul-Aug-Sep, District:, Dewsbury, County: West Riding Of Yorkshire,
Volume: 9b, Page: 637
He was listed on the 1881 census in Gomersal.
He was also listed on the 1882 immigration list. There was no listing for Tolson Sykes in
the Civil Record indexes.
Further Records: He immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1882.
Death: He died in Toronto in 1886. See Sykes in Canada
- Ada born in England circa 1878. She was not listed in the 1881 census in Gomersal. She was listed in the 1882 immigration list and the
1891 census in Toronto. According to the Civil Record indexes there were at least two Ada Sykes
born in Bradford district in 1877.
-
Eva Gertrude Sykes, March 7, 1884, father, Samuel Sykes, labourer, mother,
Caroline Tolson, St Patrick Street, Toronto #043379
- George Henry Sykes, March 25, 1886, father, Samuel Sykes, Labourer, mother
Caroline "Cooper", 189 St Patrick Street, Toronto.
- Hubert James Sykes, September 22, 1889, father, Samuel Sykes, pipe fitter,
mother, Caroline Tolson, 340 Markham Street, Toronto.
- Annie Gladys Sykes, February 21, 1893, #040660, of Samuel Sykes, laborer,
and Caroline Tolson, 20 Sully Crescent.
1881 British Census: See Sykes in the English Census
Immigration:
Samuel Sykes, age 32, immigrated to Canada aboard the S. S. Parisian
which sailed from Liverpool on August 10, stopped in Londonderry on August 11
and arrived in Quebec on August 19,1882. He was accompanied by his wife Caroline,
age 31 and two children, Ada, age 4 and Tolson, age 7. For more
information on Samuel Sykes either go to The Sykes in Canada
now or go to the bottom of the page.
- James Sykes (1852-1853)
Birth:
- Baptism: I did not find the baptismal record of James Sykes.
- Civil Record: James, son of George Sykes, cordwainer, and
Sarah Sykes, formerly Walker, was born on September 2, 1852 in
the village of Adwalton in the township of Drighlington. The birth was reported by his father, George Sykes.
Death: According to the Sykes tombstone inscription (see below) James " died in his
INFANCY".
-
Civil Record : James Sykes, age 9 months, son of George Sykes, cordwainer, died on
June 28, 1853 in Adwalton, Drighlington, of teething, two weeks not certified, reported
by George Sykes, Present at Death.
- Church Record: "James Sykes, Adwalton, June 30, 1853, 6 mos". Adwalton Zion
Chapel
- Ann Sykes (1855-1891+), Job Nussey and Thomas Parker
Birth: Ann Sykes was born January 31, 1855 in Adwalton, Yorkshire.
- Civil Record
: Ann, daughter of George Sykes, master cordwainer, and Sarah Sykes, formerly,
Walker, was born on January 31, 1855 in the Village of Adwalton, Township of Drighlington. birth
reported by her father, George Sykes.
- Church Record:
On April 1, 1855, Samuel and Ann Sykes, the children of "George Sykes, cordwainer,
and Sarah Sykes of Adwalton" were baptized in the Adwalton Zion Chapel.
Marriage: Ann Sykes, age 26, spinster, Carlinghow, Batley, daughter of George Stead Sykes,
shoe maker, and
Job Nussey, age 28, widower, percher (?) of woolens ----, Brownhill Nook, Batley, son of Benjamin Nussey, weaver,
were married on September 11, 1881 in the Independent Chapel, Batley. Witnesses Robert Walker Sykes and William
Henry Hodghinson ( Civil Record, September 1881, vol. 9b, page 926, Dewsbury)
Notes:
- Stead should be Stell
- Robert Walker Sykes was Ann's brother
Children: - Ade E born circa 1882.
Death of Job Nussey: Job Nussey, age 29 is listed in Civil Records Deaths Index,
Leeds vol. 9b, page 358, March 1883.
1891: Ann and her daughter were listed with George Stell Sykes and
Sarah Walker Sykes
in the 1891 census in Batley, England (see 1891 census below).
Marriage of Annn Sykes Nussey to Thomas Parker:
November 9 1895 Independent Chapel Batley,
Ann Nussey, age 41, widow, Beck Lane, Batley, daughter of George Sykes, shoe maker (master) married Thomas Parker
age 51 widower, general labourer, Beck Lane Batley, son of John Parker
(deseased) sailor. They both signed. Witnesses were J. W. Burnley and Alfred Walton
Children:
- John circa 1898 (from 1901 census)
1901 Census: Ada Nussey was listed with her grandmother, Sarah Walker Sykes in the 1901 census.
1901 Census: Ann Sykes Nussey Parker was listed at 8 Beck Lane
see Sykes in the Censuses
Further records: Thomas
Parker was listed as the son-in-law of Sarah Walker Sykes at her death in 1910.
- Elizabeth Sykes (1857-1930) and Law Land
Birth:
- Civil Record:
Elizabeth Sykes, daughter of George Stell Sykes
master cordwainer, and Sarah Sykes, formerly Walker, was born July 27, 1857 in
Adwalton.
The birth was reported by her mother, Sarah Sykes, who signed with her mark.
The civil record of the birth of Elizabeth Sykes
- Baptism: I have not found the baptismal record of
Elizabeth Sykes.
Occupation: Elizabeth was listed in the 1871 census age 13 "laborer in pipe shop"
Marriage:
Elizabeth Sykes married Law Land in Batley in June of 1881.
For more information on Elizabeth, Law and their family, either go
to Law Land and Elizabeth Sykes now or go to the bottom of
the page.
- Robert Walker Sykes, Checker Railroad, (1859-1901+) and
Anne Hepworth
Birth: Robert Walker Sykes was named for
Sarah Walker Sykes's father.
- Civil Record: Robert Walker Sykes, son of George Stell Sykes, master cordwainer,
and Sarah Sykes, formerly Walker, was born on December 11, 1859 in the Village of Adwalton,
in the township of Drighlington. The birth was reported by his father, George Stell Sykes.
- Baptismal Record: I have not found the baptismal record for Robert Walker Sykes
Marriage: Robert Walker Sykes, age 21, rag grinder, of Beck Lane, Carlinghow, Batley,
son of George "Stead" Sykes,
cordwainer, married Anne Hepworth, age 22, of Field Hill, Carlinghow, Batley, daughter of James
Hepworth, shopkeeper, on June 20, 1880 in the Congregational Mission Room
Graceleather Lane, Soothill. They both signed their names. The witnesses were
Law Land and Elizabeth Land (Civil Record).
Children:
- Annie, born in England circa 1881 (According to the 1891 census in Toronto)
- Adelaide, born in England circa 1884 (According to the 1891 census in Toronto)
- Wilfred Edward Sykes, July 4, 1887, father Robert Walker Sykes, mother,
Annie Hepworth, Rear 28 Denison Street Toronto #043019
- Frank Hepworth Sykes , June 8, 1890, #041725, father, Robert Walker
Sykes, clerk GTR, and Annie Sykes, R (?) 28, Dunson (?) Avenue, Toronto.
I can't find Dunson Ave. on the map. Other records list them on Denison Street.
Dunson may be a clerical error.
- Henry James Sykes, September 30, 1893, #043175, of Robert Sykes,
checker GTR, and Annie Hepworth, 278, Pippincott, Toronto. Pippincott is not listed
on my map of Toronto.
- Charles Walker Sykes, 19 August 1895, father, Robert Walker Sykes,
mother, Annie Hepworth, ? Avenue, Toronto #042642
1881 British Census: See Sykes in the English Census
Immigration: Robert Walker and Anne Sykes immigrated to
Canada, circa 1883, where he was listed in the 1891and 1901 censuses in Toronto.
For more information on Robert Walker Sykes either go to The Sykes in Canada
now or go to the bottom of the page.
Six year break in which there may have been other children born to George and Sarah.
The Sykes moved from Adwalton to Birstall sometime between the birth of Robert Walker Sykes in
1859
and the birth of John George Sykes in 1864
No births or deaths for Sykes infants in the Drighlington Chaple Records.
- John George Sykes, miner (1864-1909) and Harriet Ellen Fenton
Birth: John George Sykes was born 1864 in Birstall, Yorkshire.-
Civil Record: John George Sykes, son of George Stell Sykes, cordwainer, Birstall,
and Sarah Sykes, formerly Walker, was born April 10, 1864 in Birstall, birth reported by George Stell Sykes,
father.
(June 1864, 9b, 513 Dewsbury).
- Baptismal Record: I have not found the baptismal record for John George Sykes.
1891 Census:
John George Sykes was listed unmarried, age 26, with his parents in the 1891
census in Batley.
Marriage: John George Sykes, bachelor, age 32, miner, Carlinghow, son of George Stell Sykes,
shoemaker, married Harriet Ellen Fenton, age 34, spinster, Carlinghow, daughter of Joseph
Fenton, deceased, on October 8, 1896, witnesses Joseph William Fenton and Marion Fenton
(LDS film 1542279 Carlinghow, St John's Carlinghow C of E)
Children:
- George Stell Sykes of John George Sykes and Harriet Ellen Sykes, Crescent (?) Place,
miner, baptized June 13, 1897, born May 19, 1897 (LDS film 1542279)
- Joseph Fenton Sykes of John George Sykes and Harriet Ellen Sykes, 2 Crescent (?) Place, miner,
baptized August 20, 1899, born July 22, 1899 (LDS film 1542279).
In August 2004 Chris Godsmark, a descendent of Joseph Fenton Sykes contacted me by email and
provided the following information on Joseph Fenton Sykes:
Joseph Fenton Sykes married Minnie Braime and had four children:-
Mary (my mother) - born 1926
- Edith - born 1930
- Margaret - born 1934
- John - born 1936
- Illingworth born Batley 1901 (1901 census)
1901 Census: See Sykes in the Censuses
Death: John George Sykes, age 45, labourer, Clayton Hospital, Wakefield
buried December 14, 1909.
- Mary Sykes (c 1866-??)
Birth: Mary Sykes was born circa 1866 in Birstall, Yorkshire.
-
Civil Record: I have not found the civil record for the birth of Mary Sykes.
Two possibilities are:
-
Mary Sykes 1865 Dewsbury 9b 499 Free BMD Sept 2005
- Mary Sykes 1866 Dewsbury 9b 552 Free BMF Sept 2005
- Baptismal Record: I have not found the baptismal record for Mary Sykes.
Further Records:
Mary Sykes, age 15, was listed with her parents in the 1881 census in Batley England.
She was not listed with them in the 1891 census. She would have been 26 in 1891 and possibly married.
- Benjamin Sykes (c 1868-1870)
Birth: Benjamin Sykes was born circa 1868.
-
Civil Record: I have not found the civil record for the birth of Benjamin Sykes. There are no
listings for Benjamin Sykes born in the West Riding between 1867 and 1869 in Free BMD or Yorkshire BMD as of September 2005.
- Baptismal Record: I have not found the baptismal record for Benjamin Sykes.
Death:- Tombstone Inscription:
According to the Sykes tombstone inscription, Benjamin Sykes "died December 14, 1870, age 2 years
and 8 months".
-
Civil Record: Benjamin Sykes, age 2 years, son of George Stell Sykes, auctioneer,
died on December 17, 1870 at Church Street Birstall, of acute hydrocephalus, 1 week, death reported by George Stell Sykes
of Church Street, Birstall, present at the death certified.
Notes:
- The Adwalton Zion Chapel records date from 1855 to 1905 and
include baptisms and deaths. There are no marriage records.
There were no other records for Sykes except the two baptisms and the
death listed above.
- Either Ann Sykes Nussey or Mary Sykes married Thomas Parker
who was listed as son in law when he reported the death of Sarah Walker Sykes
in 1910.
- Two children of George Stell Sykes and Sarah Walker died of swelling of the brain:
Oliver at age 16 in 1864 and Benjamin at age 2 in 1870.
Addresses
Adwalton
George Stell Sykes was born in the hamlet of Adwalton, village of Drighlington,
parish of Birstall. He and his family lived in Adwalton until at least 1861 where they were listed in
the census. - 94 Adwalton Street, Adwalton in the 1851 census
- 23 Wakefield Turnpike Road, Adwalton in 1861
The Village of Birstall
Sometime between the 1861 census and the
birth of John George in 1865 the Sykes moved to the Village of Birstall, a short distance
from Adwalton. They lived in Birstall until at least 1870 when their address at the death of
Benjamin was reported as Church Street, Birstall.
The Village Carrlinghow in the Town of Batley
- By 1881 George Sykes and his family were living in the village of Carrlinghow in the town
of Batley 153 Carlinghow Hill where they were listed in the census.
- 27 Birch Street, Carlinghow in the 1891 census
- The Sykes were in Cross Bank, Batley at the
death of George Stell Sykes in 1898.
- Sarah Walker Sykes was living on Beck Lane, Batley
at the time of her death in 1910.
The George Stell Sykes, his wife, and three of their children were buried in Birstall Parish
The Sykes Tombstone in Birstall, Yorkshire
The tombstone in the Birstall parish graveyard for George Stell Sykes, Sarah Walker Sykes,
and three of their children carries the following inscription
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