Ever wondered how your ancestors earned their way in the world? Delve into centuries of rich detail with these apprenticeship and freedom records from the Company of Goldsmiths, dating back to 1578. Discover signatures, trades, family connections, and addresses that bring the working lives of your forebears vividly to life in the heart of London’s history.
Ever wondered how your ancestors earned their way in the world? Delve into centuries of rich detail with these apprenticeship and freedom records from the Company of Goldsmiths, dating back to 1578. Discover signatures, trades, family connections, and addresses that bring the working lives of your forebears vividly to life in the heart of London’s history.
Delve deeper into this unique collection of apprentice and freeman records from The Company of Goldsmiths. Every search result will give you the option to view the original record and a transcript of the vital information. Each transcript will contain a combination of the following facts, depending on the record type:
The full colour original images provide you with even more detail about your ancestor. In some cases, the registers contain annotations about whether an apprenticeship was extended, or the apprentice went to a new master.
For the first time, the extraordinary apprenticeship and freedom records of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London, are being published online. This is a landmark moment for family historians seeking to uncover stories of craftsmanship, resilience, and tradition stretching back nearly 450 years.
Founded by royal charter in 1327 under King Edward I, the Goldsmiths’ Company has long played a vital role in the life of the nation. Goldsmiths were not only creators of beautiful and intricate jewellery but also guardians of the integrity of coinage and precious metals. Their skill and reputation were essential in an age when gold and silver symbolised both wealth and power.
Now, eleven volumes of apprenticeship registers (1578–1897) and six volumes of freedom registers (1694–1932) have been digitised, offering a window into the working lives of those who shaped the trade—literally and figuratively.
These records bring to life the journeys of young apprentices, some no older than twelve, who left their homes and families, sometimes travelling great distances, to learn a demanding craft under the care of a master. The earliest entries were written in the apprentices’ own hand, allowing you to see the actual handwriting of your ancestor from the 16th or 17th century.
Over time, clerks took over the writing, but apprentices continued to sign their names—a small yet powerful personal mark. The records detail names, parental relationships, addresses, trades, terms of service (often seven to ten years), and any payments made. As London’s Street numbering became more formalised in the 1760s, addresses became more precise, giving even greater clarity to where your ancestors lived and worked.
The freedom registers, beginning in 1694, continue these life stories by recording when an individual gained their freedom of the Company, marking their transition from apprentice to full craftsman. These entries include names, professions, addresses, and even witness details when freedom was granted by patrimony.
Crucially, these volumes also chronicle the resilience of the Company and its members through periods of great national turmoil and triumph: the English Civil War, the Great Fire of London, the Restoration, the Napoleonic Wars, and even the Great Exhibition. Against this backdrop, the records offer a deeply human story of ordinary people honing extraordinary skills.
Whether your ancestor worked in fine jewellery or made objects in silver, these registers are an unmissable resource. They help you trace your family’s role in the legacy of one of London’s oldest and most respected guilds, and to understand the world of work, ambition, and craftsmanship that shaped their lives.
Apprentice registers, 1779-1802 (GC/TR/1/2/10)
Apprentice registers, 1803-1828 (GC/TR/1/2/11)
Apprentice registers, 1828-1897 (GC/TR/1/2/12)
Freemen registers, 1694-1741 (GC/AF/3/5/1)
Freemen registers, 1742-1780 (GC/AF/3/5/2)
Freemen registers, 1781-1810 (GC/AF/3/5/3)
Freemen registers, 1810-1840 (GC/AF/3/5/4)
Freemen registers, 1841-1874 (GC/AF/3/5/5)
Freemen registers, 1874-1932 (GC/AF/3/5/6)