Bavaria, Germany, Textile Employment Registers, 1862-1916

About this collection

This collection contains registers of textile workers of the Spinnerei und Weberei Pfersee (a spinning and weaving mill in Pfersee) and the Baumwollspinnerei Kolbermoor (a cotton spinning mill in Kolbermoor). Both locations are part of the modern German state of Bavaria. Today, Pfersee is part of the city of Augsburg located about 43 miles north and west of Munich but, until 1911, Pfersee was an autonomous community. Kolbermoor is located about 31 miles southeast of Munich not far fromthe border of Austria. The history of each of these communities was shaped by the textile industry. This collection contains registers from Pfersee for 1872-1910 and registers for Kolbermoor for 1862-1892 and 1913-1916. During the time period of this collection, both communities belonged to the Kingdom of Bavaria.

These records are a significant source of economic and social narrative about textile workers, their working conditions and individual fates. Germany's first labor protection laws came into effect in Prussia on March 9th, 1839 when the "Preußisches Regulativ" or "Rules on the Employment of Young Workers in Factories" were introduced and which placed restrictions on child labor. In the Kingdom of Bavaria, comparable regulations were established shortly afterwards. These stated that children under the age of 9 could not work in factories and that children aged 9 to 16 could not work more than ten hours per day. In spite of those first attempts to improve them, working conditions were poor. The registers record strikes by the workers and many premature deaths.

What you can find in the records

These textile employment registers were created using preprinted forms in table format that were filled in by hand. Details for an individual cover two pages. These are displayed one after the other. Generally the following details may be found:

• Sequential or Certificate Number
• Record Date/Start Date
• Worker's Last and Given Names
• Age or Birth Year
• Residence or Place of Origin
• Certification
• Designated employment or learned profession
• Discharge Date
• Notes, e.g. Discharged, Resigned, Deceased, Retired, Retained

More about using this collection

Entries for each individual cover two pages. These are displayed one after the other. Under "Browse this collection,” select the name of the mill, location and year range of the register desired.