Below are some resources I recommend if any of your ancestors in your family tree were match makers.

A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z

Description: Someone, often a child, who made matches. This was done by taking thin strips of wood or cardboard and dipping them in a chemical, between the 1840s and 1910 this was phosphorous. This ignited when it was scratched against a rough or treated surface. It was normally children who dipped the matches into the phosporous and this often caused their teeth to rot, some even died after inhaling it. The exposure to phosphorous also led to a condition known as 'phossy jaw', which caused brain damage. Symptoms started with toothache and swollen gums before forming abscesses on the jaw along with a smelly discharge. The bones could be removed but this was not common-place. Most died of organ failure.

Websites:

Worst jobs in history: Match Maker

Worst jobs in Victorian England: Match Girl

Reading materials:

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