Records of Adminstration

The records have been divided into 15 series as follows:

• Archdeacon's Correspondence and Papers: Papers of Leslie Cecil Stanbridge, Archdeacon of York and the West Riding [Y.Ad/Archdeacons C & P/Stanbridge]. 15 boxes. 1972-88.
• Induction Mandates [Y.Ad/Ind]. 10 boxes. 1670-1976.
• Officials [Y.Ad/Off]. 1 file. 1749, 1910.
• Convocation Papers [Y.Ad/Conv]. 1 file. 1685-1857.
• Revenues: Procurations and Fee Books [Y.Ad/Rev.Bk]. 11 volumes. 1660-1954.
• Revenues: Fee Papers [Y.Ad/Rev.P]. 1 box. 1704-1968.
• Archbishops' Visitations: Inhibitions [Y.Ad/Vis.In]. 1 file. 1716-1877.
• Archbishops' Visitations: Relaxations [Y.Ad/Vis.Rel]. 1 file. 1716-1874.
• Day School Returns [Y.Ad/DSR]. 1 box. 1815.
• Register Transcripts [Y.Ad/PRT]. 3 boxes. Early 19th century.
• New Churches [Y.Ad/New.Ch]. 1 box. 1959-75.
• Redundant Churches [Y.Ad/Red.Ch]. 2 boxes. 1950-79.
• Parish Files [Y.Ad/PF]. 7 boxes, listed alphabetically (incomplete). 1990-2000.
• Deanery Files [Y.Ad/DF]. 2 boxes. 2000-1.
• Administrative Miscellanea [Y.Ad/Misc]. 3 boxes. 19th-20th century.

The archdeacon's annual visits to observe the spiritual and moral welfare of his flock, both ecclesiastical and lay, and the work of his court, produced voluminous administrative documents. Most are concerned with the election and appointment of clergy and other officials to office; the remainder comprises the archdeacons' correspondence and working files, recent papers relating to new and redundant churches in the archdeaconry and annual reports and accounts for York and the rural deaneries.

Records in this section include induction mandates (documents officially inducting individuals into their benefices); convocation papers (in some instances including lists of electing clergy); archbishops' inhibitions and relaxations; records of the payment of fees (principally the collection of procurations for episcopal and archidiaconal visitations); and papers relating to the appointment and resignation of various officials of the archdeaconry jurisdiction. Several boxes of administrative miscellanea are also extant, comprising letters, copies of gazettes in which the visitation details were published and lists of benefices (although these are sporadic and the existence of these records should not be relied upon for any particular year).

Records are open to the public, subject to the overriding provisions of relevant legislation and the wishes of the donors/owners.

Where indicated, hard-copy finding aids are available at the Borthwick Institute, and an online guide (to 1980) may be found at http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/bihr/Guidesandfindingaids.htm. An additional list of contents is available for New and Redundant Churches. Please note some of the document references listed here have been updated.

Parchment, bound volumes, loose papers.

A reprographics service is available to researchers. Copying will not be undertaken if there is any risk of damage to the document. Copies are supplied in accordance with the Borthwick Institute, University of York terms and conditions for the supply of copies, and under provisions of any relevant copyright legislation. Permission to reproduce images of documents in the custody of the Borthwick Institute must be sought.

York Diocesan Archive.

• A.H. Thompson, 'Diocesan Organisation in the Middle Ages: Archdeacons and Rural Deans', Proceedings of the British Academy 29 (1943), 153-94.
• J. Addy, The Archdeacon and Ecclesiastical Discipline in Yorkshire 1598-1714: Clergy and the Churchwardens (St Anthony's Hall Publications 24 (1963)).
• C.C. Webb and D.M. Smith, 'Archdeacons' Records', in Short Guides to Records. Second series: Guides 25-48 (Historical Association, 1997), no. 31.
• L. Leeder, Ecclesiastical Law Handbook (London, 1997), 55-59.