Diocese of York: Records of the Rural Deanery of Market Weighton

The records consist of the following:

• Visitation book [RD MW 1, 25]. 1843-1900, 1984.
• Deanery chapter minutes (some with accounts) and clergy study circle minutes [RD MW 2-4, 18, 27]. 1886-1981.
• George Lawton, Collections relative to churches and chapels within the diocese of York (Rivington 1840), vol. 2 [RD MW 5].
• Parochial statistics [RD MW 6, 19]. 1903-1934.
• Answers to parish questionnaires [RD MW 7/1-11] and subsequent reports to the Archbishop [RD MW 7/12-17]. 1905, 1913, 1938.
• Returns of members of ruridecanal councils and parochial church councils [RD MW 8]. 1920-30.
• Sequestrations [RD MW 9]. 1936-7, 1951-2
• Various items of correspondence, circulars and miscellaneous papers [RD MW 10, 17, 20, 26]. 1904-84, with gaps.
• Miscellaneous blank forms [RD MW 11].
• Rural dean’s memoranda book [RD MW 12]. 1936-52.
• Notebook with details of incumbents [RD MW 13]. 1936-39.
• Minute books of Girls’ Friendly Society and Sunday School Teachers’ Association [RD MW 14-16]. 1911-50, with gaps.
• Deanery Synod minute books and attendance lists [RD MW 21-23]. 1970-85.
• List of clergy, readers and wardens in deanery [RD MW 24]. 1979, 1982.

The diocese of York is currently divided into the archdeaconries of York, Cleveland and the East Riding. Rural deaneries were given official status with the setting up of the Church Assembly, Diocesan Conference and Parochial Church Council after World War One. The Ruridecanal Conference (later the Deanery Synod) became a local district council of clergy and laity. The rural dean, whose appointment is in the hands of the Bishop of York and the relevant archdeacon, has the especial care and inspection of the clergy within the archdeaconry, together with several other responsibilities with respect of synodical government.

A number of ruridecanal record collections have been deposited. Principally these consist of minutes of chapter meetings and ruridecanal conferences, but on occasion there are other matters of considerable interest. These include several series of parish newsletters, pamphlets relating to specific issues (such as the debate over the Hydrogen Bomb in the 1950s, or calls for personal rededication in an increasingly secular age), questionnaire returns, lists of clergy and wardens, and discussion regarding such disparate matters as deanery boundaries, church schools and military encroachment on parish lands (with related correspondence).

The system of arrangement is reflected in the scope and content.

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

The Diocesan Registrar has deposited records relating to the Diocese of York at the Borthwick Institute since 1953.

A handbook to the ruridecanal records is available at the Borthwick Institute.

4 volumes, loose papers, bundles of magazines.

Description compiled by Martyn Lawrence, Archives Hub project archivist, May 2005, with reference to the following:

• David M. Smith, A Guide to the Archive Collections in the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research (York, 1973)
• David M. Smith, A Supplementary Guide to the Archive Collections in the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research (York, 1980)
• Alexandrina Buchanan, A Guide to Archival Accessions at the Borthwick Institute 1981-1996 (York, 1997)

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.

These records have been appraised in accordance with Borthwick Institute policy.

See J.S. Purvis, Towards a University (York, 1968), for information regarding the history of the York Diocesan Archive and its deposit at the Borthwick Institute.

Accruals are not expected.

York Diocesan Archive.

See also GB 0193 RD.Ret and GB 0193 RD.Res.

A list of archdeaconries, deaneries, churches and peculiars in the Diocese of York may be found in Victoria County History: York, III, 80-88.