HOME - Land Introduction - Connection To All Sykes Related Pages - John Sykes, the father of George Stell Sykes - Sykes in Ithaca, New York and Canada

George Stell Sykes (1826-1898), A Brief Biography

Birth: George Stell Sykes the son of John Sykes and Ann Stell was born in Adwalton, Yorkshire March 12, 1826

Occupation: Master Cordwainer

Marriage: Sarah Walker

Children: Oliver Walker Sykes 1847, Samuel Sykes 1850, James Sykes 1852, Ann Sykes 1855, Elizabeth Sykes 1857, Robert Walker Sykes 1859, John George Sykes 1864, Mary Sykes 1866, Benjamin Sykes 1868

Residences: Adwalton, Village of Birstall, Carlinghow in Batley

Death: 1898 Batley


George Stell Sykes, Birth, 1826

George Stell Sykes, the son of John Sykes cordwainer, 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.

George Stell Sykes was listed as an Auctioneer in the Leeds Mercury 1869 selling a property called Prospect House in Birstall along with Mr. Scholefield, esq, Solicitor of Batley.

Marian Craddock, October, 2011

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.

In November 3013 Peter Dodge, a cordwainer, wrote:

"Usually the "cottage industry" shoe makers of the early 1800's, cut the leather pieces, then sent them out to be hand stitched in small cottages by women workers.

When the uppers were stitched, they then took them back to the Cordwainer's qualified boot and shoe maker, who in turn completed the product using the welted hand sewn process.

The apprentices did the menial work while learning the trade. The major skill being the sewing on the leather outsole to the welt. This being done with waxed thread, "blended" to a long mature pigs bristle, the holes being made in the leather with an awl, that had a sword like edge at the tip, then the pieces were sewn together."

See Shoemaker

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). George Sykes signed his name and Sarah Walker made her mark. The witnesses were Joseph Clough and R H Pickard.

Notes:

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 in 1847.). If she was born in 1829, how did she have time to marry, become a widow, and marry again by 1847? The Yorkshire Archaeological Society Family History 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:

  • Ancestry.com and 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 1849.

  • 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. However, I have not found any other possible marriage for Sarah.

It is also quite possible that "widow" and "full age" were clerical errors.


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:

    1. Oliver Walker Sykes (1847-1864)
      Birth:
      • Church Record: Oliver Walker Sykes baptism December 26, 1847, birth October 1, the son of George and Sarah Sykes, Adwalton shoemaker, Birstal Parish (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 Chruch Record: Sykes, Oliver, son of George shoemaker, Birstall April 13, 1864, age 16, St Peter Birstall
      Death Civil Record: 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).
    2. Samuel Sykes, butcher/labourer/pipe fitter (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. Could not find this marriage listed on Ancestry.com as of November 2013.
      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:
      1. Tolson
        Birth: Tolson of Sam and Caroline Sykes, Gomersal butcher, October 17 188, parish of Dewsbury.
        Civil:
        Tolson Sykes, Year of Registration:, 1880, Quarter of Registration:, Jul-Aug-Sep, District:, Dewsbury, County: West Riding Of Yorkshire, Volume: 9b, Page: 637
        More: He was listed on the 1881 census in Gomersal. He was also listed on the 1882 immigration list.
        Further Records: He immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1882.
        Death: He died in Toronto in 1886. See Sykes in Canada
      2. 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.
      3. Eva Gertrude Sykes, March 7, 1884, father, Samuel Sykes, labourer, mother, Caroline Tolson, St Patrick Street, Toronto #043379
      4. George Henry Sykes, March 25, 1886, father, Samuel Sykes, Labourer, mother Caroline "Cooper", 189 St Patrick Street, Toronto.
      5. Hubert James Sykes, September 22, 1889, father, Samuel Sykes, pipe fitter, mother, Caroline Tolson, 340 Markham Street, Toronto.
      6. 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.

    3. 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

    4. Ann Sykes (1855-1901+) 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:
      1. Ada Elizabeth Nussey (1882-) and William Ward Kemp
        Birth: Ade E born circa 1882.
        Ada Elizabeth Nussey Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1882 Registration district: Dewsbury Inferred County: Yorkshire - West Riding, West Yorkshire Volume: 9b Page: 615
        1901: With her grandmother, Sarah Sykes on Beck Lane Batley, age 18, cloth mender woolen.
        Marriage: William Ward Kemp Dec 1907 Dewsbury 9b, 1305 FREEBMD
        Children:
        1. John 1911
        1911 Census: KEMP, WILLIAM WARD HEAD MARRIED M 28 ELECTRIC TRAMCAR CONDUCTOR YORKSHIRE BATLEY KEMP, ADA ELIZABETH WIFE MARRIED 3 F 29 YORKSHIRE BATLEY KEMP, JOHN SON M 5 MONTHS YORKSHIRE BATLEY 9 BECK LANE CARLINGHOW BATLEY County Yorkshire West Riding District Dewsbury Subdistrict Batley Enumeration District 22 Parish Batley
      Death of Job Nussey 1883:
      Nussey, Job, mill-hand, Carlinghow died at Leeds infirmary February 6 1883 age 29
      Civil Record of the Death of Job Nussey: Job Nussey, age 29 is listed in Civil Records Deaths Index, Leeds vol. 9b, page 358, March 1883.
      1891 Census: Ann and her daughter were listed with George Stell Sykes and Sarah Walker Sykes in the 1891 census in Batley: George, head, married, age 65, boot maker, born in Adwalton, Yorkshire. Sarah, wife, married, age 63, no occupation, born in Bruntcliffe, Yorkshire. John Geo. son, single, age 26, carrier, born in Birstal. Ann Nussey, daughter, widowed, age 35, woollen weaver, born in Adwalton, Yorkshire. Ada E., grand daughter, age 9, no occupation born in Batley, Yorkshire.
      Marriage of Annn Sykes Nussey to Thomas Parker, 1895: 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:
      1. 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, Batley: Thomas Parker 60, rag willeyer (cloth mill) worker, born Beale, Ann Parker 46, wife, born GILDERSOME, Charles Parker 24, son, cloth rainer??? worker born Batley, John Parker 3, son born Batley
      Further records: Thomas Parker was listed as the son-in-law of Sarah Walker Sykes at her death in 1910.

      1911: Did not find. October 2011

    5. 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.

    6. 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:
      1. Annie, born in England circa 1881 (According to the 1891 census in Toronto)
      2. Adelaide, born in England circa 1884 (According to the 1891 census in Toronto)
      3. Wilfred Edward Sykes, July 4, 1887, father Robert Walker Sykes, mother, Annie Hepworth, Rear 28 Denison Street Toronto #043019
      4. 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.
      5. 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.
      6. 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 Chapel Records.

    7. 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:

      1. George Stell Sykes

        1897 - 1963 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)

        Civil Records: George Stell Sykes Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1897 Registration district: Dewsbury Inferred County: Yorkshire - West Riding, West Yorkshire Volume: 9b Page: 622

        1911: With his mother and brother in Batley.

        Marriage: Nan Halverson

        Children:

        1. John Stell Sykes born 15 August 1923 Type Death 29 Sep 1982 Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada Age 59 Marital Status Married Birth Date 15 Aug 1923 Birthplace Yorkshire, England Father's Name George Stell Sykes Mother's Name Nan Halverson Spouse's Name Virginia Mary Dayton (British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993) (LDS)

          1942: John Stell Sykes Event Date: 6 Mar 1942 Regiment Number: 6107431 Regiment: Queen's Royal West Surrey

          John Stell Sykes Scholarship Endowment:

          A scholarship, equal to the value of the accrued interest, will be awarded annually in the Spring semester to a third or fourth year student who is a French major in a degree program. The scholarship will be adjudicated on the basis of proficiency in French and academic standing. (Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada)

          Virginia Culbard established an endowment fund in memory of her late husband, John Stell Sykes.

        1949: British Directory G. Stell Sykes, Batley

        1956: Batley Directory, G. Stell Sykes 87 Bradford rd Wst Batley, Yorkshire, England

        Death: George S Sykes [George Stell Sykes] Death Age: 66 Birth Date: abt 1897 Registration Date: Sep 1963 Registration district: Leeds Inferred County: Yorkshire West Riding Volume: 2c Page: 304

    8. 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:

      1. Mary (my mother) - born 1926
      2. Edith - born 1930
      3. Margaret - born 1934
      4. John - born 1936

      1917: Joseph Fenton Sykes Birth Date: 22 Jul 1899 Birth Place: Batley , Yorks First Service Date: 28 Aug 1917 First Ship Served On: Victory I Last Service Date: 18 Feb 1919 Last Ship Served On: Minotaur Service Number: J76945, 5 ft, 8 1/4 inches, chest 37, brown hair, brown eyes

      1926: Joseph Fenton Sykes Year: 1926 Country: England County: West Yorkshire Parliamentary Division: Penistone Place of Abode: Manchester road Reference Number: Penistone

    9. Benjamin Illingworth born Batley 1901 (1901 census) ✟ died as an infant
      April 21 March 23, 1901 Carlinghow, Benjamin Illingworth of John George And Harriet Sykes (Upton st miner (PR)
      Death: Benjamin Illingworth Sykes Estimated Birth Year: abt 1901 Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1901 Age at Death: 0 Registration district: Dewsbury Inferred County: Yorkshire West Riding Volume: 9b Page: 376

    1901 Census: See Sykes in the Censuses
    Death: John George Sykes, age 45, labourer, Clayton Hospital, Wakefield buried December 14, 1909.

    1911 Census: SYKES, HARRIET ELLEN HEAD WIDOW F 48 CLOTH MENDER YORKS BATLEY SYKES, GEORGE STELL SON M 13 SCHOOL YORKS BATLEY SYKES, JOSEPH FENTON SON M 11 SCHOOL YORKS BATLEY, Address 5 UPTON STREET BATLEY County Yorkshire West Riding District Dewsbury Subdistrict Batley Enumeration District 6 Parish Batley

  1. 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:
      1. Mary Sykes 1865 Dewsbury 9b 499 Free BMD Sept 2005
      2. 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 was listed with her parents in the 1871 and 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.

  2. Benjamin Sykes (c 1868-1870) ✟ died as a child
    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.
  • 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.


In the spring of 2018 Deborah Raby sent the above composite of three images with the note:

"'Stell Sykes' is written on the back of a photo that belonged to my Grandma, Louisa Kershaw Raby. I understood from my mum (her daughter-in-law) that this was a cousin of my grandma. I thought Stell was an unusual name and I might be able to find out something about him now that there is so much information on the internet. Well, I think I was partially right as my family hails from the West Yorkshire area (Grandma from Drighlington!) as well so I think that my 'Stell Sykes' is somehow related to the George Stell Sykes that you have traced.

The one labeled Stell Sykes is on the left and the other photo was taken by the same photographer in Batley. The young man on the right is wearing maple leaf insignia on his collar. I hope they will be of interest to you. "

The RE insignia on the shoulder indicates he was part of the corp of Royal Engineers. The Royal Engineers maintained railways, roads, bridges, water supplies, etc.

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 Carlinghow in the town of Batley. They were at 153 Carlinghow Hill in the 1881 census.
  • They were at 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

In memory of

OLIVER
Eldest son of GEORGE
and SARAH STELL SYKES
of Birstall
Who died April 11, 1864
In the 17th year
Of his age
Also JAMES died in INFANCY
BENJAMIN
Died December 14, 1870
Age 2 years and 8 months
Also GEORGE STELL SYKES
Father of the above
Died May 21, 1898
Aged 72
Also of SARAH, the wife of the above
GEORGE STELL SYKES
Died May 25, 1910
Aged 81 years.

AT REST

Notes:
  • The way George and Sarah names are written under Oliver makes it appear that Sarah's maiden name was Stell. She was, however, Sarah Walker Sykes and he was George Stell Sykes.
  • While there is no date for the death of James; he died in 1853.

To see a photo of the memorial stone go to Sykes Memorial Stone


1851 Census

George Stell Sykes and family were listed in the 1851 census in Batley.

See Sykes in the English Census


George Sykes in the Leeds Directory, 1857

One way to track men in England over a period of time is through directories (sort of a phone book before phones).

George Sykes, boot and shoemaker, was listed in Adwalton in the 1857 Leed's Directory.


1861 Census

George Stell Sykes and family were listed in the 1861 census in Batley.

See Sykes in the English Census


1871 Census

George Stell Sykes and family were listed in the 1871 census in Batley.

See Sykes in the English Census


1881 Census

George Stell Sykes and family were listed in the 1881 census in Batley.

See Sykes in the English Census


1891 Census

George Stell Sykes and family were listed in the 1891 census in Batley.

See Sykes in the English Census


Death of George Stell Sykes, 1898

George Stell Sykes, 18 Beck Lane, U. D., age 72, boot maker (master), died on May 28, 1898 of Influenza, congestion of the lungs, 8 days, cardiac failure, 2 days, certified by S.L. Potts L.R.C.S. , reported by John G. Sykes, son, present at the death, 2 Convent Place, Cross Bank, Batley (Civil Record)

Parish Record: Sykes, George Stell Batley May 30, age 72, Birstall Pt Peter, 1898


1901 Census

Sarah Walker Sykes and her daughter, Ann Sykes Nussy Parker were listed in the 1901 census in Batley.

See Sykes in the English Census


Death of Sarah Walker Sykes

Sarah Sykes, 9 Beck Lane, Batley, age 81, widow of George Sykes, boot maker (master) died on May 25, 1910, of cancer of intestine and exhaustion, certified by S. L. Potter L.R.C.S., reported by Thomas Parker, son in law, in attendance, 9 Beck Lane, Batley


John Sykes, the father of George Sykes

For information on John Sykes, the father of George Stell Sykes, click on the photo of the houses in Adwalton


The Sykes in the English censuses

For information on the Sykes in the English censuses, click on the picture of the description of the Hamlet of Adwalton from the 1851 census


The Walkers

For information on Sarah Walker and the Walkers, click on the picture Elizabeth Sykes with the day lilies


The Sykes in Canada

For information on the Sykes in Canada, click on the picture of Arnold Land with his Sykes cousins in Toronto


Elizabeth Sykes Land

For information on the Elizabeth Sykes Land, click on the picture of Elizabeth Sykes Land


If you have any suggestions, corrections, information, copies of documents, or photos that you would like to share with this page, please contact me at maggie@maggieblanck.com

RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE

If you wish to use any of the images or information on this page please feel free to do so provided that you give proper acknowledgement to this web site and include the same acknowledgments that I have made to the provenience of the image or information. Thanks, Maggie

©Maggie Land Blanck - Page created 2004 - Latest update, November 2013