Book makers

The History

Until the mid 1850's when books began to be mass produced and the general population increased it's literacy book making was a skilled trade involving many people like engravers, papermakers and binders as well as printers.

What records can you find?

The biggest database is the British Book Trade Index  BBTI which is hosted by the University of Birmingham.

This database covered people who worked in the book trade up to 1851.

It covers all areas of England and Wales with entries for most parishes.

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The normal records such as census and trade directories will list people involved in book making.

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County records offices  and local museums will have records of individual book makers and small firms.