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The Kiddier family is unusual in that there are very, very few examples of thename and it seems to originate specifically in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. The men of the Kiddier family were in the business of making machines for the hosiery trade in the 19th century With one exception! William Kiddier was the son of a brushmaker of the same name. A talented artist, he also became a brushmaker, but when his father's firm passed to him he was able to concentrate more on art. A leading light in the Nottingham art scene of the early 20th century he wrote several books based on his love of art: The Profanity of Paint, The Painter's Voice, The Oracle of Colour. He served on the School Board and helped set up the Nottingham atelier. He worked ceaselessly to promote art in his local area. His most important work, however, was in 1920. Pittmans did a series of books as 'Careers Guides'. As William was a talented writer and author he undertook the task of writing 'The Brushmaker', a guide to the trade he had grown up in. Whilst doing this he was able to retrieve some very old documents on the Society of Brushmakers, England's first real trade union! The book was a masterpiece, covering the history and techniques of the trade. As a result of his discoveries he later wrote another fascinating book, The Old Trade Unions, about the Society of Brushmakers. This book is one of the most important publications on the history of trade unions and brushmaking. In fact Kiddier's books are virtually the only books on brushmaking ever published in the UK that are not technical handbooks or slim histories of brush companies, most of which used his books as a source anyway! The Kiddier family history is very interesting and I have several members and contacts interested in it. If you share this interest please contact me. Ken Doughty Director SBD FHS

More recent research has found that earlier the name was spelt "KIDGER", Although this may just be an enumerator's phonetic version of the name. It might even be that the name was changed when the family went into business due to it's resemblance to the phrase "kid you" using the verb "kid", which means to fool or deceive. This meaning is mentioned in Johnson's 1755 Dictionary. Hence Kidger = "Kid ya" being altered to "Kid ee er" to allay any feeling by customers that they might be taken for a ride.

Ken Doughty