More translation and interpretation help: 18th century professions (Württemberg)

Question

I thought I knew German reasonably well, but a couple of records from 1788 have left me reeling. I don't know if this is an idiosyncrasy of the recorder, but I find the following:

"Weber" - weaver (OK, I get that)

"Webermeister" - master weaver (also OK, I think)

"Meister des Weberhandwerks" = "Webermeister" ?

"des Weberhandwerks" ??? (omission or subtly different from "Weber"?)

Answer 1

Hello,

Weberhandwerk would be Weaver handicraft or weaver trade. It is a more formal description of the profession and induces a formal qualification. Webermeister could potentially be the same or referring to a highly skilled weaver as well; it would depend on the context and time when the term was used, I guess.

Sven

Comments

I found "des Weberhandwerks" and "Webermeister" in two marriage records, one week apart in 1788 in Grossglattbach, a village in the deanery of Mühlacker, close to Maulbronn monastery. Maybe just the recorder trying to mix things up, I guess...

Answer 2

I think "weaver" and "master weaver" are the correct translations for this profession in the 18th century.

"Meister des Weberhandwerks" was probably added in a bloomy description in a family history.

Comments

Nope. All of these designations are from the church records. But I agree that some recorders are more wordy and "bloomy" than others.

Answer 3

HGey Gus,
I have some ancestors with similiar professions and did some research on it. In my humble oppinion the title "Meister des Weberhandwerks" either indicates that the person is officially competent and allowed to have apprentices, or that he might be the head of the local weaver "Zunft".

Cheers

Patric