Genealogy Chat

Do any records still exist regarding people's occupations such as how people became journeymen or masters etc?

Many thanks

Hi,

You might find something on here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journeyman

I just googled Journeyman

Chris

Can i jump in here !!!!
Thats great, ive been wondering what a journeyman was for ages,
(never thought of google,but even when i did, i didn't get much,so copy & pasted yours)
Thanks
Sue

Thanks Chrissie.

Had a quick look but didn't see any menion records. Will try and have a proper look through the links etc

Thanks :)

A journeyman is not, as you might think, someone who travels around, but is the equivalent of today's time-served apprentice, and is often self-employed, so able to work where he wants to, rather than work for a master.

I doubt it, Lesley. But it may depend on the trade. If surviving, they would be in records offices, I should think, or, in some cases, the Guildhall in London.


http://www.talktalk.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0029169.html
A man who served his apprenticeship in a trade and worked as a fully qualified employee. The term originated in the regulations of the medieval trade guilds; it derives from the French journée (‘a day’) because journeymen were paid daily.

Each guild normally recognized three grades of worker – apprentices, journeymen, and masters. As a qualified tradesman, a journeyman might have become a master with his own business but most remained employees.

~~~~Hello Joy~~~~~

Thanks for this. I may check with my local record office to see what they hold. I'll also check the internet to see what it says about the Guildhall.

Actually, I think I remember an episode of WDYTYR which mentions a specialist occupation where they held records...was it something to do with gold. Alas my ancestors were more down to earth. (Actually that doesn't bother me much ;) )

Thanks again.

Interesting and informative podcast from the NA

'Apprenticeship records for family historians'
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/podcasts/

Also talks about Journeymen and Masters.

Chris

I have my certificate issued by the apprenticeship and training council, for the electrical contracting industry dated 1958
stating registration as an indentured apprentice as a journeyman electrician, and my name is on the national register of that council
(issued by the then Ministry of Works, Lambeth Bridge house london S.E.1.)

Bob