My maternal grandmother and my paternal grandfather, who never knew each other at the time, were both in a similar business. My grandmother was half owner of The Coatwell Paint Company, that made paints and varnishes. My grandfather was a traveling salesman for paint and varnish companies. When my parents were in the antique business they used their parents' expertise and their recipes for how to clean old paint and varnish off furniture. They also made and sold their own furniture polishes.
In my family papers I found 3 recipes for furniture polish, each one a little different, and a recipe for some kind of hair tonic.
In my post about Cookbooks I told about my Mom being able to cook anything and not need a recipe... well my Dad is like that in Carpentry. If he can think it, he could make it. Since he did not know his father's family, he didn't realize his love of carpentry came from his ancestors. My daughter is also a carpenter. I tried my hand at it but, as in cooking, I need a "step by step". When my grandson was born I decided I wanted to make a cradle. I didn't like the new designs, so I turned to an older book I found in a used book store. I chose this design because the bed part could later come off and be used as a toy box.
By the late1800's many industries had manuals that contained instructions, plans, tips, references and sometimes recipes. So if your ancestors had a trade, you can discover more about what that entailed by looking for a manual or reference book. The earliest one I found was from 1615.
Relevant Links:
The harness makers' illustrated manual. A practical guide book for manufacurers and makers of harness, pads, gig saddles, etc - 1880
The universal assistant and complete mechanic : containing over one million industrial facts, calculation, receipts, processes, trade secrets, rules, business forms, legal items, etc in every occupation, from household to manufactory - 1880
Grocer and Distiller's useful guide - 1932: directory for making and managing al kinds of wines and spirituous liquors ; also for preserving beef, pork and fish ; for making the best pickles and preserves ; and for preserving fruits
A booke of sundry draughtes, principaly serving for glasiers: and not
impertinent for plasterers, and gardiners: besides sundry other professions.
Whereunto is annexed, The manner how to anniel in glas: and also the true forme
of the fornace, and the secretes thereof – 1615
Clay glazes and enamels, with a supplement on crazing, its cause andprevention; the whole forming a treatise on glazing and enameling brick, terra
cotta and pottery, including exact recipes and formulas for all the principal
colors now in use, and full instructions for their preparation and application
– 1896
The photograph and ambrotype manual; a practical treatise on the art of taking positive and negative photographs on paper and glass, commonly known as photography, in all its branches - containing various recipes - USA 1858
The dyer and colour maker's companion: containing upwards of two
hundred receipts for making colours on the most approved principles, for all
the various styles and fabrics now in existence, together with the scouring
process, and plain directions for preparing, washing-off, and finishing the
goods – 1860
Hints and practical information for cabinet-makers, upholsterers, and furniture men generally - 1907
Cowie's Bookbinder's manual - London 1860
Mida's trade-mark register of canned goods - USA 1906
The soap brand register - 1911
A dictionary of dyes, mordants, and compounds used in dyeing and calico printing 1918
Calico engraving : a practical text-book for students, designers and textile industry 1913
Directory of trade names and brands of shoes - 1915
Watermarks and brands used in the American Paper Trade - 1910
The Modern Butcher : or the secret of success. Giving tables of weights and prices showing what meat must be sold for to make a gross profit of 20 per cent., containing tables so arranged that a glance will show the number of pounds of the various cuts contained in beef, pork, veal, mutton, etc... with formulas, recipes, etc, - 1906
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