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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: RissyB on Friday 23 November 12 16:53 GMT (UK)
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Please, does anyone know what a 'Ginger Bleacher' was? The 1861 Census says my great grandfather was one. He lived in Clerkenwell, London, not very far from Smithfield. :)
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Ginger Bleacher; (i) places ginger in revolving drums; sets drums in motion by moving a lever or switch; ignites sulphur beneath drums to bleach it; removes ginger from drums when process is complete; usually spends part time in other work, e.g. in filling and emptying, or shifting barrels of ginger; (ii) fills tumbler with ginger; mixes liquid bleacher, according to recipe, and pours over ginger; closes tumbler and turns wheel which, by means of gears, causes tumbler to rotate; after specific interval, turns up tumbler, allowing bleacher to drain from ginger, and shovels or tips out ginger, removing it in trays to drying room; may regulate temperature of drying room by steam, hot air, valves etc. “A Dictionary of Occupational Terms”
Stan