Genealogy Chat

Anybody know what this means? It is the trade listed for my g-g-g-grandfather's younger brother in the Pigot's Directory of London for 1839. Address Three Oak Lane, Dockhead, Bermondsey. His father and brother were oil merchants and coopers. All other mentions I have of him say 'gentleman' or 'annuitant' or something like that; I am surprised to find that he did have a trade at one time, but what does 'blue manufacturer' mean, exactly? Kate.

I think blue was something you used before washing powder to get clothes white.

well!! there used to be a product that you added to your laundry.was a blue thingy tied up in a twirl & it supossibly gave your whites a lift by adding a blue tinge. I seem to remember it was called a dolly blue!!!

Mum used to put 'dolly blue' in the wash to make the sheets come up nice and white. Not sure what it was made of but remember buying packets from the oilman who delivered (still does come to think of it) parafin etc.

According to my Dictionary of Old Trades and Titles a blue maker was someone who made the dyes used for whitening laundry. Personally I am old enough to remember when my Mum used a blue bag to whiten her sheets.....

Tut tut Kate, cant believe YOU didnt know this one.Or are you having a senior moment, lol. Dolly blue was a little bag which you added to the white washing to make it even whiter. It was the forerunner of the optical brighteners which are in modern washing powders and in fact is probably the same thing chemically! Everyone used it, so no wonder your rellie made it rich! OC

Just dredged up from the depths of my memory mum also called it Reckitt's blue - presumably the company that made it was Reckitts, or wasn't there a company called Reckitt and Colman?

Well, this certainly brings back memories of my mother in the wash house with the boiler on....to boil the whites .....and blue dolly bags......it use to take all Monday to do the washing, . jean

From old occupations site. BLUE DYER or MAKER A person who worked with blue dye used by calico printers and laundries to stop the white materials from discolouring. Roy

What memories of blue bags.....as an aside. a rather nutty friend of mine used to use a blue bag in the final rinse of her blonde hair.. claimed it just made it that bit brighter. Suex

This website is quite interesting site about Reckitts that did eventually become Reckitts and Coleman. http://www(.)cumbria-industries(.)org(.)uk/blue(.)htm (remove the brackets)

Wow, thanks everybody! Olde Crone, I'm afraid I'm not old enough to remember it, but now you all mention it I must admit I had heard of it. Very interesting indeed. Kate.

Oooh, Kate! Didnt realise you were a young thing, sorry! I always assume that anyone sensible is as old as me! OC

OC - she probably has slim hips and thighs as well :o(( Merry

Certainly not, Merry, and I am older than you - just a few years, though. Do you remember this blue stuff, then? Kate.

Hi All I'm old enough to remember the Dolly Blue works in Cumbria!! I can remember driving past the works and seeing some of the workers outside, having a break, and they were covered in blue dye, which obviously washed off! The works is now a luxury hotel! Regards Patricia