25/11/2025
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ข๐ปโฆ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐.
Have you ever wondered if any of your ancestors appear in the trade incorporation records?
The power to grant incorporated status to trades rested with the Magistrates of royal burghs. Incorporated trades were granted the right to monopolise within the burgh and control access to their trade. They protected the craft against outsiders, prevented apprentices from being drawn away from their masters, and stopped irregularities and irresponsible craftsmanship amongst their members.
An entry fee had to be paid to gain admission into the incorporations. The son of a burgess paid the lowest fee, the son-in-law of a burgess paid more, and a stranger paid the highest fee. Their names would be recorded in the tradeโs minute books.
Trades Incorporations were governed by a council of craftsmen who were elected annually. They fixed wages and prices, and set the rules of conduct for the members of the Incorporation. The Industrial Revolution effectively made the incorporations redundant and they were officially abolished in 1846.
Researchers can access the trade incorporation records at Angus Archives. We have the following collections available at the search room. Those marked * include registers we have indexed:
Arbroath Glovers Incorporation (MS496), 1701-1938.*
Arbroath Hammermensโ Incorporation (MS495), 1844-1938
Arbroath Shoemakers Incorporation (MS490), 1738-1937.*
Arbroath Tailors Incorporation (MS606), 1653-1867.*
Arbroath Weavers Incorporation (MS648), 1659-1899.*
Brechin Bakersโ Incorporation (MS493), 1602-1888.*
Brechin Glovers Incorporation (MS904), 1600-1887
Brechin Hammermensโ Incorporation (MS500), 1580-1884
Brechin Shoemakers Incorporation (MS491), 1600-1818.*
Brechin Tailors Incorporation (MS494), 1660-1885
Brechin Weavers Incorporation (MS503), 1685-1878.*
Brechin Wrightsโ Incorporation (MS903), 1625-1793
Forfar Shoemakers Incorporation (MS489), 1626-1846
Forfar Tailors Incorporation (MS488), 1619-1898.*
Forfar Weavers Incorporation (MS492), 1627-1826.*
Montrose Smiths and Hammermensโ Incorporation (MS501), 1725-1764.*
If you would like us to check the index for you (free of charge), simply email us at angusarchives@angusalive.scot with the name of the person(s) youโre looking for, their occupation and anything else you know about them.
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