Bricklayers
The Operative Society of Bricklayers was formed in 1829 and joined the Operative Builders' Union in 1831. It survived that union's collapse in 1834, but in 1848 divisions led to a split into two separate unions: the Operative Bricklayers' Society, also called the London Order, and the Friendly Operative Bricklayers' Trade Protection Society, which went through several name changes but was commonly known as the Manchester Order or Manchester Unity.
In 1921, these two societies reunited when they amalgamated with the Operative Society of Masons, Quarrymen and Allied Trades of England and Wales to form the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers. In 1971, this amalgamated with the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers and Painters to form the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers, Painters and Builders, which was renamed the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) five months later. UCATT merged with Unite in 2017.
The records contain genealogical information for the following unions:
- Operative Bricklayers' Society (1862-1920)
- Manchester Unity (1867-1920)
- Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers (1921-1971)
Operative Bricklayers' Society (MSS.78/OB)
The Society initially had branches throughout England and South Wales. In the 1890s it started to expand into North Wales and Scotland, and in the 1900s it also started opening branches in Ireland.
Yearly returns of members' payments, 1871-1920 (MSS.78/OB/2/1/1-89)
Information required: Name, branch and year.
Information provided: Age, date of admittance.
Hull Branch minute book, 1890-1892 (MSS.78/OB/BR3/1/1)
Contains a list of proposed new branch members during this period.
Information required: Name. Must have joined Hull Branch between 1890 and 1892.
Information provided: Age, years at trade, marital status.
Lambeth Branch contributions registers, 1909-1918 (MSS.78/OB/BR5/2/1/1-2)
Contains a list of branch members' addresses.
Information required: Name. Must have been a member of Lambeth Branch between 1909 and 1918.
Information provided: Address.
Manchester Unity of Operative Bricklayers' Society (MSS.78/MB)
The Unity had lodges (branches) in Northern England, the Midlands, North Wales, Ireland and Glasgow. It began to be eclipsed by the Operative Bricklayers' Society in the late 19th century.
Contributions registers, 1875-1906, 1917-1920 (MSS.78/MB/2/7/1-6)
Ledger of members' payments, 1905-1916 (MSS.78/MB/2/2/1)
Information required: Name, lodge and year.
Information provided: Month of retirement or death (if within the period covered).
Death books, 1867-1922 (MSS.78/MB/2/1/1-2)
Information required: Name and year of death.
Information provided: Lodge, cause of death, death benefit paid.
Monthly/Quarterly reports, 1868-1918 (MSS.78/MB/4/1/1-50)
Contain lists of funeral benefits paid for deceased members and their wives.
Information required: Name and year of death.
Information provided: Lodge, cause of death, death benefit paid.
Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers (MSS.78/AU)
Quarterly branch returns, 1921-1940 (MSS.78/AU/2/3/1-149)
These contain lists of new members, members in receipt of superannuation benefits, and funeral benefits paid.
Lists of new members
Information required: Name, branch and year of admission.
Information provided: Date of admission, age, marital status.
Lists of members receiving superannuation benefit
Information required: Name, branch and probable year of retirement.
Information provided: Date admitted, age, date of retirement.
Lists of funeral benefits paid for members and their wives
Information required: Name, branch and year of death.
Information provided: Date member admitted, age of member, date of death, age at death, cause of death.
Annual reports, 1921-1970 (MSS.78/AU/4/1/1-60)
There is a slim chance that these volumes may contain a short obituary of a prominent member.
Information required: Name and year of death.
Information provided: Varies.