Burgess and Guild Brother of Glasgow, 1929

[JonathanC]

I have a certificate belonging to my maternal grandfather which reads as follows (text in parenthesis is handwritten):

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At Glasgow the (twenty sixth) day of (December)
One thousand nine hundred and (twenty nine) years.
 
These certify that (John Stewart Murdoch Chief Draughtsman, St Margarets Road, Brockley, London S.E.4)
having paid his freedom fine (as younger son of James Murdoch) a Burgess and Guild
Brother of Glasgow qua (Tailor) (22nd March 1898) has been admitted
A BURGESS and GUILD BROTHER of the BURGH qua (Tailor) and is accordingly entitled to all the civil rights
and privileges by law belonging to

A FREEMAN CITIZEN of GLASGOW

as by his acceptance of this ticket now delivered to him he becomes bound
to perform all the civil duties and obligations by law incumbent on such Citizen.

[Signed] D Stenhouse
         Town Clerk

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There is additional handwriting which states: 'No. 168 1929-1930', and a 5 shilling stamp.

My queries are:

What are the qualifications for becoming a Burgess?  Or did one simply pay?

Does the phrase 'qua Tailor' refer to an occupation (as neither John nor his father were Tailors)?

Are there online resources which give more information about Burgesses?


Many thanks for any help.

[GR2]

My experience of burgesses and guildbrothers relates to 16th century Edinburgh. At that time being admitted brought real, practical benefits. You paid a sum of money (the fine - not used in a punitive sense), but also, if not admitted as an honour or exception, had to be the son or son-in-law of an existing burgess. Probably in more modern times, as in this case, someone's trade might not fit the original small number of mediaeval ones - goldsmiths, hammermen, tailors etc. Perhaps they then artificially entered them into an existing guild, or maybe chose one of which a more remote ancestor had been a member. The older records of burgesses have been published. I imagine that for more recent ones the best place to consult is the Mitchell Library in Glasgow which has many of the local archives. You will probably find a similar entry for James Murdoch. In very early times these records can allow you to trace a family through several generations.

Graham.

[Skoosh]

Jonathan,  the various trades in Glasgow associated with the Trades House in Glassford  Street have for a long time just been an upper class social club. Most bonnetmakers have never seen a bonnet for example.
  To join one of the trades one must first become a burgess of Glasgow, this is sometimes awarded as an honour, Billy Connelly was made a burgess recently, this also gave him some grazing rights on Glasgow Green! Anybody however can become a burgess, the business is dealt with at an office in John Street, it used to be the same office as taxi licensing.  The fee used to be about £15, for this sum you receive your Burgess Ticket. I think joining one of the trades is by invitation only.  Your grandfather's father was also a guild brother so he would be classed as being at "near hand", a stranger was referred to as being at "far hand". Google the "Glasgow Trades House" for more info'. 
Skoosh.

[Rufous Treecreeper]

Before the time of your grandfather but this book on burgesses and guild brethren of Glasgow may be of interest.

http://www.archive.org/stream/scottishrecordso43scotuoft

Mo

[TradesHouseGlasgow]

Hi Jonathan,

More information on the Trades of Glasgow can be found on our website www.tradeshouse.org.uk/individual-crafts Anyone can join a Trades as long as they first apply for a burgess ticket for the City of Glasgow.

Nowadays the 14 Incorporated Trades of Glasgow as well as the Trades House of Glasgow are all charities in their own right and still meet within the Trades Hall on Glassford Street. They are always looking for new members.

Kind regards,
Nicola

[CBryce]

Hi Jonathon,

If you wish some background on the Incorporation of Tailors or any other Incorporation, please use the following link:   www.tradeshousemuseum.org and go to the digital library where you can download for free histories of the 14 Incorporated Trades of Glasgow and some other organisations.

If you go to the CONTACT US page and leave a message, the Trades House Archivist will respond fairly quickly.

The Trades House is not a middle class social club, it is one of Glasgow's largest charities and gives away approximately £750 00 per year to individuals and charitable organisations.

Anyone can apply to join and pay a one off fee and become a member of an Incorporation and also receive their Burgess ticket.

Qua Tailor meant that the individual joined the Incorporation of Tailors and after about 1846, the Crafts had lost their rights to control the trades in Glasgow and therefore anyone Guid person can apply to join the Incorporations and help support the history and charitable giving that  still goes on today.

Being a Burgess and Guild Brother or Sister is a nice thing to be and does not come with any privileges, these have all vanished over the centuries.

Best wishes,


Craig R. Bryce