Merchants, Crafts and Apprentices
Discover merchants and craftsmen in Glasgow over four centuries.
What do I need to know before I start?
Try to find out:
- name of the person
- when they lived
- their occupation or craft
What records can I find in The Mitchell: Glasgow City Archives?
The City Archives holds the records of the Merchants House and the Trades House of Glasgow, the fifteen individual craft incorporations within the City, as well as the records of crafts from surrounding areas.
The records may include :
- members
- financial records, including membership fees
- donations to poor members or other charitable giving
- educational endowments, including Allan Glen's school
- apprenticeships
The collections include:
| Title | Date | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Merchants House of Glasgow | 1558-1975 | T-MH |
| Trades House of Glasgow | 1597-1975 | T-TH1 |
| Hammermen of Glasgow | 1616-1934 | T-TH2 |
| Tailors of Glasgow | 1504-1974 | T-TH3 |
| Cordiners of Glasgow | 1550-1961 | T-TH4 |
| Weavers of Glasgow | 1504-1974 | T-TH5 |
| Maltmen of Glasgow | 1615-1977 | T-TH6 |
| Bakers of Glasgow | 1574-1961 | T-TH7 |
| Skinners of Glasgow | 13th - 1976 | T-TH8 |
| Wrights of Glasgow (see Masons up to 1600) | 1650-1977 | T-TH9 |
| Coopers of Glasgow | 15th -1910 | T-TH10 |
| Fleshers of Glasgow | 1576-1968 | T-TH11 |
| Masons of Glasgow (including Wrights until 1600) | 14th-1976 | T-TH12 |
| Gardiners of Glasgow | Job title | T-TH13 |
| Barbers of Glasgow (including Surgeons to 1722) | 1656-1962 | T-TH14 |
| Bonnet-makers and Dyers of Glasgow | 13th - 1957 | T-TH15 |
| Framework Knitters and Stocking Makers of Glasgow | 1756-1904 | T-TH16 |
| Weavers of Anderston | 1754-c 1985 | T-TH2 and TD1615 |
| Hammermen of Calton | 1789-1854 | TD105 |
| Weavers of Govan | 1756-1963 | TD1740 |
| Weavers of Rutherglen | 1641-1871 | RU9/1 |
What records can I see online?
There are no records online.
What other resources will help me find information?
Books
The burgess entry records whether a burgess was a member of the Merchants House or a particular craft.