Books for everyone, information for all, lifelong learning 
Trade Directories
Home > Services > Libraries > Local and family history > Special collections
Renfrewshire Trades Directories begin around 1810 for Paisley and run to until 1937, with some years missing. The directories provide information about the development and life of the community, its businesses and organisations, through the years. Not all towns and villages in Renfrewshire are included in each year, and the type of information provided changes from year to year. Information about dates may also be slightly inaccurate.
The Trade Directories are available in the Local Studies Library.
The minimum information given for a small settlement is a list of people of importance to the community, arranged alphabetically by surname. The basis on which names were included is not clear, but it appears to include people in professions, businesses or trades and also people of local importance. Business names and / or home addresses may be given. There may also be an alphabetical list of names arranged by trades and professions.
Larger places like Paisley have more entries with information about -
- the Local Authority
- parochial boards
- magistrates and councillors
- justices of the peace
- prisons and courts
- water, gas and police commissioners
- fire brigade
- public health authority, hospitals and infirmaries
- road and navigation trustees
- railways and other public transport; boundaries
- public schools and teachers
- cemeteries and burial grounds
- militia
- places of worship and clergymen
- commissioner of supply
- insurance companies
- clubs, societies, associations and organisations
- bank holidays
Many Paisley streets and house numbers changed in January 1923. A list of the revisions is available in the Local Studies Library.
Back to top
