Trade Union Ancestors

Where you can begin to discover your family history in the trade union movement.

Trade Union Ancestors can help you locate a specific trade union in time and place with the A to Z index of trade unions and trade union family trees. In addition, you can read about some of the events and people that shaped the trade union movement through 200 years of history in our trade union histories, trade union lives and striking stories.

The scale of the British trade union movement is astounding. Tens of millions of people have been members, and 5,000 trade unions are known to have existed at one time or another.

The historic union records that  survive illuminate the working lives, daily concerns and political attitudes of our ancestors. There can be few people who, in researching their family history, do not find at least one active trade union member.

This website aims to help  family historians to identify the correct union, to discover the role their ancestor played in it, and to find out more about trade union history.

If you already know what you are looking for, I suggest you use the search box.

Alternatively you can:

• Read a brief account of the history of trade unions
• Browse using the contents page
• Look at the A – Z list of trade unions
• Consult some union histories or trade union family trees
• Find out about trade union lives
• Be entertained by some striking stories

Five steps to finding your trade union ancestors
If you are ready to get started, this how-to guide to establishing which trade union your ancestor might have joined, and how to find its records, might be for you.

This is a one-person, spare-time operation. Suggestions, corrections and additions are welcome, but I cannot offer one-to-one help with your research.