Below are some resources I recommend if any of your ancestors in your family tree were bakers.

A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z

Description: Someone who makes or sells breads and cakes. They often worked long into the night in high temperatures, sometimes up to 90°F (32.2°C). Bakers rarely lived beyond 40. Long-term exposure to flour dust could cause dermatitus, conjunctivitis, rhinitis or asthma (inflammation of the skin, eyes, nose and lungs). Bakers are one of the oldest professions and was an integral role in any community. They were made freemen of London in return for keeping bread plentiful during the 1600s. As a freeman, they were allowed to drive sheep and cattle across London Bridge, allowed a silk rope should they be hanged and allowed to carry a naked sword publicly. A relatively lucrative profession, they cooked for their own business and also might rent out their ovens to housewives, street vendors or perhaps retailers. Each loaf was marked by the individual baker known as docks or hallmarks. As the weight of bread was strictly governed, bakers (at least the honest ones afraid of prosecution) often added in an additional loaf, or a small piece of baked dough for each loaf. This has led to the reference of 13 being known as a baker's dozen. Many bakers still tried to get around these rules though, switching flour for other substitutes amongst other things. They were also common victims of crime, mostly by theft. As they were viewed as relatively well-off, few saw harm in taking a few loaves of bread or a pastry when no-one was looking. See also: Baxter

Websites:

The Worshipful Company of Bakers

Aberdeen University (Baker's Union Records)

Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (bakers records)

Reading materials:

The Book of English Trades, and Library of Useful Arts

If you are interested in your genealogy, why not find out about your family tree here or take a look at our packages.