SEARCH AYRSHIRE ARCHIVES
We are endeavouring to make our lists searchable, we'll expand this section as lists become available.
If you have any questions about Ayrshire Archives and our work preserving the documentary heritage of Ayrshire, please contact us.
Royal Burgh of Irvine
List of Burgesses and Guild Brethren 1715-1920
Until the middle of the 19th century Irvine as a Royal Burgh had certain extensive trading privileges. All business in the area was conducted at markets in Irvine and only burgess of Irvine were permitted to engage in business. A person became a burgess by first securing someone of standing to act as surety (this was often a father or employer) and then applying to the Town Council for admission as a Burgess and Guild Brother. If the Town Council agreed, then they were admitted as a Burgess on payment of a fee and a burgess ticket was issued. This was all recorded in the Town Council minutes from which this list was compiled in the 1920s.
From the earliest times the Town Council also payed important visitors the compliment of making them an honorary burgess (honoris causa) also known as giving the Freedom of the Burgh. The list is fully searchable and you can search by surname, profession (occupation) or date.
Why not check and see if any of your ancestors are listed.
You may search on multiple terms, eg "david Blair 1775" - the more terms you enter the more limited the results, it is best to do a simple search first then narrow the results.
Irvine Harbour Trust Harbour Book (Cargoes In & Out) 1821-24
Irvine was an important harbour throughout the 19th century. The Harbour Trust Book gives the names of ships entering and leaving the harbour, where they came from and where they were bound, cargoes and Master. You can search the list using any of these elements. The original document is accessible through the Local and Family History Centre, Irvine, reference Gr1/18/16.
You may search on multiple terms, eg "eve, belfast"
- the more terms you enter the more limited the results, it is best to do a simple search first then narrow the results.