ENG-WARKS-BIRMINGHAM-L Archives

Archiver > ENG-WARKS-BIRMINGHAM > 2001-11 > 1004691345


From: "Ron & Hilary Martin" <>
Subject: Re: [B'ham] Pearl Button Maker
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 19:55:45 +1100
References: <KKEOKGONBNNIEMGMFNHDOEFGCBAA.marila@ukgateway.net>


G'day Marila

Button making was very much part of the Birmingham scene in the 19th
century - my evidence comes from looking at various censuses (censi?). I
have a ggg-aunt who gave her occupation as Florentine Button Maker, a type
of button that no longer exists. She lived in the inner parts of Ladywood.

'Pearl' buttons were made from mother-of-pearl, the inner lining of oyster
shells. They had an attractive iridescent sheen. Of course such things have
been replaced by plastic buttons for quitw some time.

Hope this little bit of info can throw a speck of light on things

Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marila Hargreaves" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2001 9:04 AM
Subject: [B'ham] Pearl Button Maker


> Hi All
> Have just come across an ancestor's occupation as Pearl Button Maker. Does
> anyone know what this would have entailed and where they might have worked
> in the Birmingham area?
>
> Thanks
> Marila
>
>


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