Grocers

[bobloes]

Hi All

One of my forebears is listed in the census records of 1851 as a Grocer. Her, now dead, first husband was listed as a Grocer/Spirit Dealer on the 1864 Marriage Register of his daughter. I suspect that they were not big business people because on the 1841 census the husband is listed as a labourer. Does anyone know of any records for business people or grocers in particular? They came from the Mid Lothian region. Thanks

[Currie]

Hello Bobloes,

Grocers selling spirituous liquors would no doubt attract more record keeping than grocers selling groceries. It was probably what kept many grocery businesses’ going. To give you an idea how popular Spirit Dealing was in the 1830’s here’s a report to Parliament that says that for every 14 families in Glasgow there was a Spirit Dealer. If you then fast forward to page 193 you’ll find them going on about Grocers in Scotland.
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=fqx ... nd&f=false

In the 1850s they brought in the "Forbes Mackenzie Act" which, among other things, was “to prevent grocers from becoming in reality the keepers of tippling-houses" and "those persons continued to be permitted to sell liquors by retail, provided that they were not consumed in their shops.” http://gluedideas.com/content-collectio ... e-Act.html

Where are the records of “granting of certificates by Justices of the Peace and Magistrates”? The NAS has a page about J.P. and Licensing Court records but I don’t like your chances. http://www.nas.gov.uk/guides/justice.asp

You may find a reference in a newspaper to a license being granted, or perhaps a reference in a Post Office Directory

All the best,
Alan

[bobloes]

Thanks Currie. Good background info - obviously have not read them properly yet. What a world - a guy from Oz explaining to me in England about the records in Scotland!!!!!! Cheers

[Alan SHARP]

Greetings.

I'ts a small world, and you never know where the roots might extend !!

Alan SHARP - NZ.