Hello Can anyone tell me please if you needed to serve an apprenticeship to be an umbrella maker & if so, where could I possibly find records of this Thanks Teri ======= Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found. (Email Guard: 7.0.0.21, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.18460) http://www.pctools.com/ =======

Hi Teri Apprenticeship was the standard route of entry to all trades and crafts well into the 20th century. However, with a few exceptions (see below), apprenticeships were private matters between the master and his apprentice and/or the apprentice's parents, so no public records exist. The exceptions are: Trades carried on within the City of London which were regulated by the City Companies (formerly Guilds). The majority of these ceased to be more than ceremonial/political in nature (and thus only for the great and good) between the 17th and early 19th centuries. Apprenticeships which were arranged by parish authorities for children under their care. Records for these may be found in the relevant parish records. Between 1710 and 1804 a tax was levied on apprenticeships, thus creating a public record of them. These records are not, alas, comprehensive, as there were a number of exemptions to the tax which, naturally, were taken full advantage of. For more information, go to http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/apprenticeship-re cords.htm. Hope this helps Caroline > > Hello > > Can anyone tell me please if you needed to serve an apprenticeship to > be an > umbrella maker & if so, where could I possibly find records of this > > Thanks > Teri > > >