Hi
I am researching SMITH family genealogy from Alyth, Perth Shire.
I have a lookup request for anyone with access to records of the Perth Incorporation of Shoemakers or Masons.
1. Shoemaker
I am descended from a John SMITH, b. September 7 1792 in Rattray Perthshire, but lived Glamis and Alyth. He is listed as a shoemaker journeyman in the 1851 census in Alyth where he seemed to live for much of his adult life. He is listed as a shoemaker in the 1841 in Alyth. However, he also lived in Glamis and is listed as working as a shoemaker there in 1814 when he married Ann RATTRAY.
If anyone has knowledge of these archives, could they advise whether it is likely that John would have been listed as part of the Perth, rather than the Dundee trades and whether they are able to find any listings for him. Many thanks for your help with this.
2. Masons / Slaters
Andrew and David SMITH were twin sons of John above. They were b. 29 June, 1818 in Alyth. Both moved to Edinburgh and ran A & D Smith and Co. between 1857 and the mid-1880's in West Lauriston Place and Glen Street and were listed in the cover of a glass tables book handed down from their son James, who became a picture framer in New Zealand to me. They advertised themselves as masons, slaters, glaziers, and chimney-sweepers.
Andrew was listed in the 1851 census as a mason journeyman in Edinburgh but I can find no record of him in the 1841 census in Edinburgh or Alyth. David lists himself in all censuses as a slater first living in Alyth with his parents in Ayth in the 1841 census. He was also listed as a slater at the birth of his first child, David, in Alyth in 1844. He is then listed in Edinburgh from 1851.
I would assume that both brothers commenced their careers in Alyth and then moved to Edinburgh, so am interested to find out whether there are any records of them in the local incorporate trades archives in Perthshire.
Can anyone with access or knowledge of these records please advise whether there are any listings and / or whether I should be focusing my inquiries on Edinburgh alone and / or Dundee?
Many thanks once again for all your help with this.
KESTON.
