New Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee website tells the tale of a city
One of Dundee's oldest civic groups launched a new website this week containing thousands of historical documents charting the growth of the city.
At the launch (from left) Ron Scrimgeour, Bryant Walker, Donald Hutcheson, Lord Provost John Letford, city archivist Iain Flett, author Innes Duffus, Jim Shearer and Bill McLaren.
- Published in the Courier : 16.02.12
- Published online : 18.02.12 @ 11.20am
Innes Duffus, chief archivist of the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee, said his research threw up many surprises.
These included Dundee's role in establishing a Scottish freeport in Veere in the Zeeland area of what is now known as the Netherlands.
The website contains a huge number of records, shedding new light on the development of modern Dundee.
''There's about 20,000 pages and, at the same time, we are launching an easy-to-read history on the Nine Incorporated Trades,'' said Mr Duffus.
Among the nuggets of information uncovered during his research was an unorthodox rebellion against David Lloyd George's introduction of National Insurance in 1911.
Mr Duffus said: ''There are a lot of things with huge general interest, like the 'Turra coo'. It was during Lloyd George's time when they were first introducing National Insurance payments.
''Some farmer refused to pay and so the sheriff's officer impounded a cow, but when they tried to sell it nobody would buy it or even auction it because they all agreed with the farmer.''
The website is at ninetradesofdundee.co.uk, while The Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee: A Short History is out now.
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