Genealogy Chat

I'm trying to find the appenticeship records of a few people who were coopers. Does anyone know how old children were when they entered apprenticeships? Also, what are 'freedom registers'? Chloe

Hi, Boys were usually apprenticed at age 14. Some were paid for by the parish - in which case the records will be in the Poor Law papers of the parish. Others were apprenticed to family members or their parents paid the masters. I don't know about freedom registers but Freeman registers contain the names of those given the freedom of the town or city having successfully completed an aprrenticeship. It meant they were free to work in the town. There were other ways of becoming Freemen. Gwynne

Thanks Gwynne. I mean to type freeman registers, I'm half asleep!

Hi Chloe, I have records of pauper children apprenticed between the ages of 9 and 11, and another ancestor who was apprenticed at 15. I believe an apprenticeship was usually for 7 years, and had to be completed by the age of 24. Cazza

Thanks. Gawd this is proving very difficult.

Hi Chloe, i have a copy of my great grandfathers indenture papers with london north east railway and it was for 5 years and he was 15 starting it. so it looks like the ages varied a lot. judy (melbourne)

Hi, The ages can vary from parish to parish and depending on family circs - that's why I said usually in my first post. I have also seen later than age 14 apprenticeships, when the family had got some cash together, I suppose. A lot of apprentice papers have been "lost" but the Freeman registers are very useful. Gwynne

Hi Chloe, I don't know where you live, but if you are near enough, come to Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire for a day and visit the Museum of Brewing. This used to be in the brewery of Bass, but has now been taken over by Coors. It is a brilliant way to find out about the brewing industry including the making of barrels. There is still a cooper's workshop and demonstrations are given by real coopers. You will also be able to find out about apprentices and view authentic Apprenticeship Agreements. The museum also houses the famous 'Bass Shires' stables, where the heavy horses live.

For a short period in the 1700s, stamp duty was payable on the indentures. Pauper and informal (family) apprentices escaped, but where duty was paid, records were kept. The Society of Genealogists has many volumes indexing both the apprentices and the masters. In the best records, you get name of apprentice and guardian, where they come from, name of master, his parish and occupation and the cost. The originals are at TNA at Kew. Brenda