Genealogy Chat

Could anyone shed any light on what an Aniline Dye Merchant was. Its on my g/grandfathers James Hampson 1901 Census record listed as his occupation (own account). Thanks Vanessa

Googled Aniline Dye and it appears to be the sort of dye they use to colour wood, paper, cloth, etc.

Many thanks Joy.

Hi Vanessa, My GRandad was had the same occupation he worked for a company called Clayton Aniline, in Manchester, apparently, they used to make dye for wools and stuff like that. Regards Lou

Louisa Thanks for the information my G/grandfather comes from Manchester so it was obviously big business back then in that area. Vanessa

Vanessa, as far as i can find there was only 1 dye company in Manchester and that was Clayton, it was in the ardwick/gorton area, and is still there now as im led to believe but called something like caba, if you go onto friends reunited and search for workplace, it has clayton aniline on it and a load of people who worked there loads of years from 1920 onwards, its worth a shot youmay get some further information from there. Lou x

Lou, I'll have a look now and see what I can find. I've managed to gather loads of information on him so just thought it would be nice to see what he was doing as an Aniline Dye Merchant. Thanks Van x

Brilliant, I am still trying to piece together the days of his life, its all very elusive and bizzarre, i only know he worked there becasue my uncle (his son) worked with him, and he only retired from there about 3 years ago, my family are very secretive but im determined to get to the bottom of it, im definately thinking illigitimate, no father registered on his b cert, but there is on wedding cert, however, name on wedding cert no record of this person ever being born or dying mmm good luck with your research. Lou x

Good luck with your research too. I've just realised I've missed Eastenders!! Nite Nite Van x

Goodnight Van, have a good day tomorrow. Lou x

I only live a couple of miles from Clayton Aniline and have a good few friends work there over the years. It's still there, but it's called goes by the Swiss-related name of Ciba now which has a nice butterfly logo. There's a weird urban myth about the place involving one of the Presidents of Israel working there at one time.

wow really, thats cool. I dont know much about the company as i said previously family members are very secretive about peoples past, very annoying it is, i was trying to find some records of employees and i think i will take a trip to the Manchester Records Office, most my fmaily still live around that are, except me who flew the nest to the south side of Manchester(i will never live that down with them). I believe it was quite a thriving business, from what i can gather he worked there after the war, he also did a short stint at the aboitoire in the area too, and my Gran worked at Johnsons Wire Works. Lou x

Louise, was this the Johnson's Wire Works in Denton, only a few miles away?

How fascinating Darren - thanks for that. Lou if you manage to find anything out about the employees could you let me know. It's a bit difficult for me to get there from Plymouth and I have no rellies living up that way anymore. I will see if there is anything I can find out about them down here, I expect my dad will remember them he was born in Fallowfields, Manchester wherever that is? Van

I'm not sure, possibly, my dad said Gran worked there he told me it was ardwick area, but that it was no longer there, either he doesnt want to tell me anything about them or he really doesnt know a thing. If the Denton one is the only Johnsons Wire Works it probably is that one. Whats the Myth about the Israel President, can i find it online, would be interesting to read that.

Yeah sure i will keep you posted, Fallowfield, is now a huge student area for all the universaties in Manchester, lots of wine bars now, i dont know what it used to be like. My Grandad was apparently born in Prestwich, Cheetham on his b cert, but he moved down to the Gorton Area, i presume when he met my Gran, she was from Chorlton which is not far from Fallowfield area of Manchester, I am going down to Kew the national archives on 21st February so i will do some digging whilst im there. Lou x

Vanessa, Fallowfield is South West of Rusholme, which is easier to find on a map.

Ah lots of my rellies are from Cheetham, Enfieldm Oswaldwisthe (if I've spelt that right) according to Census records etc. If you come across anything under the name of Hampson I would be extremely grateful if you could let me know. Or if you could find out what a Aniline Dye Merchant would have done about 1900 that would be great. I was always told that this part of the family had quite a bit of wealth and there are servants shown on the Census so it would so interesting to see any info. Please don't spend hours looking though its only if you come across something. Should you need anything from my area let me know I'd be only too glad to help. Van

Louisa, I'm not sure whether the story is on the internet, but it's something that crops up on local radio shows everynow and again. There's no truth in it, but it's pretty persistant. I think the basis is that some of the Prime Ministers of Israel have worked in Britain and have had chemistry backgrounds. Why it should be the Aniline, I don't know.

Thanks Darren, my dad always makes it sound like the streets of Coronation Street this is back in the early 40's though, so I'm sure its changed now! Van