Norway Business and Occupations: Difference between revisions

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Occupations were a measure of social status. Some trades were viewed as more prestigious than others. For example, goldsmiths had more prestige than shoemakers. Many trades, such as butchers, tanners, shoemakers, tailors, and others were organized into guilds, which were in charge of training apprentices and regulating a trade's practice in an area.  

Guilds were usually established in each city. Guild records include lists of members, information on journeymen practicing in the town, marriages of journeymen, and advancements from the rank of apprentice to journeyman and from journeyman to master craftsman. In addition, contracts between masters and parents of apprentices may be included.  

There are records not often used that can be of great help and interest for the researcher, and they are:  

<br>A new idea, that resulted in little used record show up in Oslo during the 1300’s. <br>A man could apply for “borgerskap” in a specific city, and if granted would be given certain rights, as well as certain responsibilities. As a “borger” or citizen he would be able to set up shop in town; as a merchant, skipper, master craftsman with apprentices etc.<br>He would also be expected to pay taxes and accept different city assignments from the government.<br>The word “borgerskap” can have many different meanings. In modern times we talk about having citizenship in a country, or the word can refer to a specific social group in society; “borgerskap” versus the working class or nobility.<br>In earlier years the word “borgerskap” describes the judicial relationship a person had with the city he lived in, (“borgerskap” was not made available to women in earlier times). <br>In the 1600’s it became required that the new “borger” swore allegiance to the King and city, and paid a licensing fee. He was then recorded in the city’s “borgerbok”, and given a “borgerbrev” as a proof that he was a “borger”.<br>The eldest known “borgerbok” today is from mid 1551-1751, and is found in Bergen city. <br>The “borgerbøker” can be very helpful to the genealogist, especially during the time period before the parish registers were kept. <br>Information about a person’s name, birth place, address, and farm name if connected to a farm is given. His particular job is also listed. Used with other genealogical records it can be very helpful to researchers, adding information not usually found in church records.

Location: Regional archives [Statsarkiv].

Population coverage: 10%.