Background Information

Y

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Yard Ref 1-1295

Abbr: yd and yds. An Imperial measure unit of length equivalent to 0·9144 metres; a square yard is equivalent to 0·8361 square metres; a cubic yard is equivalent to 0·7646 cubic metres

It is said that the yard was based upon the distance of the tip of Henry VIII's nose to the end of his outstretched arm.

The yard is still valid as a unit for trade in the UK, following legislation of 1994/5 which replaced some imperial units by metric units

Yarn Ref 1-175

Spun thread used for twisting, weaving, sewing, and embroidery.

See Denier

Yate Ref 1-613

Also Gate. Element used in place names

Yellow fever Ref 1-783

Aka Bronze John, Yellow Jack. An acute tropical fever, found in the Caribbean, Brazil, and West Africa. Symptoms are muscular pains, fever, jaundice, and bleeding. Caused by a virus transmitted by the mosquito

Yellow Trade Ref 1-2891

Yellows Ref 1-Y1

Yeoman Ref 1-1322

Until the 15th century, the servant or retainer of a knight, or a minor court official.

From the 15th century, a wealthy, small farmer – either a freeholder or a tenant – although the term was used loosely.

A yeoman was able to serve on juries and to vote for shire representatives.

See Franklin, Man-at-arms, Sokeman and Titles

Yeoman Ref 1-444

A member of a volunteer force – such as the West Yorkshire Yeomanry Cavalry, the Agbrigg & Morley Yeoman Cavalry, and the Second West Yorkshire Yeoman Cavalry - whose members were mainly yeomen, tradesmen and shopkeepers, with their own horses.

See Levée en masse

Yeoman's bread Ref 1-1357

Aka Ravel. A sort of bread

Yew tree Ref 1-Y3

Evergreen tree – taxus baccata – found in churchyards, often as an ornamental tree. The tree is a symbol of immortality. Yew twigs are regarded as a symbol of grief. It was sacred in the Iron Age and temples were built near to the tree. It is said that cattle will not graze near yew trees, and planting the yews prevented cattle from fouling the churchyard. It is a hard wood and all parts of the tree – especially the needles – are highly poisonous.

Henry V passed an Act to protect the tree.

Its presence can be used as a rough means of estimating the age of the church.

The wood was used for making longbows

The tree is said to live longer than almost any other species, and they have been known to live up to 9-11,000 years. One yew in Glen Lyon, Scotland is possibly 10,000 years old.

See Ælred

YMCA Ref 1-816

The Young Men's Christian Association or Y.

See Brighouse YMCA, Halifax YMCA, Red Triangle and Sowerby Bridge YMCA

Yoke Ref 1-1391

A mediæval land measurement – used outside the Danelaw – which was equal to ¼ of a sulong. A yoke was a pair of oxen, and the unit of measure represented the amount of land cultivated by pair of oxen. The unit was used in Domesday Book for taxation purposes

York Ref 1-Y2

A piece of string tied around a workman's trousers to avoid them trailing on the ground

York Assizes Ref 1-374

York, Siege of Ref 1-416

Between 22nd April and 16th July 1644, the Parliamentarians and the Scottish Covenanters besieged the city of York. On 1st July, the city was relieved by the Royalists – under Prince Rupert and the Earl of Newcastle – who were defeated at the Battle of Marston Moor. The siege resumed until the city surrendered on 16th July 1644

Outside the Calderdale district

Yorkshire Ancestors.com Ref 1-2396

A family and local history research centre based at Scarborough.

There are many on-line facilities, including their on-line shop and bookstore

The Yorkshire Evening Post Ref 1-Y53

Yorkshire Film Archive Ref 1-583

A collection of old films showing scenes of life in the country.

There is an online collection which includes some local footage, including

Isaac Button: a record of the work of Isaac Button, the last potter in Halifax
Saturday Morning Out in Halifax: 1951-1965: filmed by the Halifax Cine Club
New Horizons: 1952: filmed by the Halifax Cine Club
The Opening of the Serbian Orthodox Church: 1954: a record of the opening of the Serbian Orthodox Church filmed by the Halifax Cine Club
Hebden Bridge Carnival: 1924:
The Pace Egg: 1960-1961: a record of the Pace Egg Play and other scenes in an around Hebden Bridge
Ower bit bog oil: 1963: a record of knur & spell

This & associated entries use material contributed by Paul Hartley

Yorkshire Indexers Ref 1-695

A website with a large database, forums and articles relating to the various sources for births, marriages, deaths and wills in the Yorkshire area.

The Yorkshire Indexers website is compiling indexes to Wills and Admons recorded in the Deeds Registry [1901-1920]. The Indexes are to be found at URLs of the form

where the final letter = A in this instance = indicates the initial letter of surnames on that page

Yorkshire Narrowboat Ref 1-1667