Family Historian User Group

I have a relative who is described in the 1911 census in Hull as a 'Blue Packer'. (Be warned, googling this without any filters throws up lots of porn sites). I've only found one relevant reference which suggests it may have something to do with the paint industry. Has anyone heard of this occupation?

ID:3567

Hull is the clue here. Your relative would have worked for Reckitts, who made the famous 'Dolly Blue' that was extensively used in laundry at that time. There were various types of 'blue' but, being a domestic product, Dolly Blue was by far the most well known.

See: http://www.oldandinteresting.com/laundry-blue.aspx
for info on Reckitts blue

and: http://www.hullcc.gov.uk/museumcollecti ... master=452
for the history of Reckitts.

Thanks for that. Unfortunately, it means that my wife, who said it was something to do with laundry blue, will remind me that she was right for days. [smile]