apprenticeships

[cleder]

Hi there

Would anybody know whether all apprenticeships were recorded and registered, if so, is there any way of finding them. We are looking for apprenticeships served in Yorkshire and Lancashire about 1815 and 1850. One was to be shoemaker/cordwainer, the other a blacksmith. Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Cleder :)

[HelenVSmith]

Hi


The Government wanted to know about apprenticeships when they were taxing them so at those times there will be records (1711-1811) actually up to 1804 but the taxes(stamp duty) could be paid up to one year after an apprentice finished their apprenticeship. The earlier years have been indexed up to 1774. Later years unindexed. Even then any apprenticeship which was tax exempt won't be recorded in these registers. This stamp duty meant the apprenticeships were recorded centraly for Engaland and Wales at PRO in class IR1. Generally divided into city registers for stamp duty paid in London and country registers for that paid elsewhere. (From Ancestral Trails by Mark D Heber pub 2000 ISBN 0-7509-2484-5)

Other apprenticeships such as when the parish apprenticed children they were responsible for may be listed in the Parish Chest documents.

Check your County Record Office and it is worth doing a search on teh Access to Archives site as a lot of apprenticeship records are listed.

Regards
Helen

[Peter Goodey]

Apprenticeships in that period were purely private arrangements and the chances of finding any documentation are close to zero. If the apprenticeship was arranged by the Poor Law Guardians, you might stand a chance of finding something. Likewise in the City of London (livery companies).

[cleder]

Thank you for your replies :) It doesn't look as if I will be able to go any further with these chaps for the moment, will have to try and think of something else.
Thanks anyway.

Cleder